Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and a computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program for image processing recorded thereon

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a reference image extracting section for extracting a reference image as an object for display; a parameter managing section for managing a plurality of parameters and their values for the extracted reference image; a parameter setting section for selecting any two arbitrary parameters and setting the selected parameters as scales for the vertical axis and horizontal axis; a peripheral image preparing section for preparing peripheral images each obtained by changing the values of the two parameters selected for the reference image by a specified amount; and an image display controller for providing display controls by correlating parameter values of peripheral images to those for the vertical axis and horizontal axis of the reference image so that the reference image is displayed at a specified position of a screen and also peripheral images thereof are displayed surrounding the reference image in n layers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method fordisplaying an image on a display screen, editing and processing thedisplayed image, as well as to a computer-readable storage mediumcontaining a computer program for image processing recorded thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the first type of conventional technology, when plurality ofparameters such as brightness, chroma, hue, and contrast or the like ofan image are to be changed, the parameters are changed by separatelyentering an appropriate value for each parameter from an input devicesuch as a keyboard, or by adjusting the parameter values using a controlvolume based on a GUI (Graphic User Interface) or an adjustment bardisplayed on a screen with a pointing device such as a mouse. The imagebeing displayed on the screen itself changes in response to change ofthe parameter values.

[0003] In the second type of conventional technology, an image obtainedby editing and processing an original image is stored separately fromthe original image. For instance, an image is stored in a state wherethe original image has been rotated by a specified angle, or a portionof the original image is separated and stored.

[0004] As specific examples in which an original image is rotated by aspecified angle, there is a case where, when a picture as an originalimage, especially a photograph showing a human face is originallyinclined, the original image is rotated to correct the inclination inorder to use the photo for adhering on an ID card or the like. Further,although the original image is not inclined, the image is intentionallyrotated to realize a higher designing effect in order to use theoriginal image on a leaflet or a pamphlet, and in this case the image isstored in the rotated state.

[0005] As specific examples in which a portion of an original image isseparated in a specified form, there is a case where only a portioncorresponding to a human face is separated to use the photograph foradhering on an ID card or the like. Further, there is a case where asection showing a human face is separated in a shape of heart mark for adecorative purpose such as publishing it on a pamphlet for a weddingparty or the like, and in that case the image is stored in the separatedstate.

[0006] As the technology for retrieving a file of stored images,conventionally there is the technology for displaying a plurality ofcontracted images for retrieval obtained by contracting the originalimages, namely the thumb-nails are displayed on the screen andretrieving a file with the help of the contracted images as a key forretrieval.

[0007] When an edited and processed image is stored, generally the imageis stored with a rectangular area including the image. During this, theblank section is previously colored with a specified color and then isstored together with the edited and processed image. To synthesize thestored images, it is required to execute the processing for marking theblank section transparent, and this clearing processing is executed bymaking the colored section transparent according to a color used forcoloring the blank section for storing as a key.

[0008] In the first type of conventional technology described above,however, each time the parameter values are changed an image displayedon a screen changes so that comparison of the images before and afterthe change can not be made concurrently and a degree of change of theimage can not be grasped immediately. Therefore, it is required torestore the original image before change many times for comparison.Persons experienced in this kind of job for editing and processing animage can easily carry out this work, but the work is ratherdisadvantageously difficult for beginners.

[0009] Further, in the first type of conventional technology asdescribed above, when there are a plurality of parameters, the parametervalues are required to be changed one by one, and when it is desired toobtain desired parameter values by finely adjusting a change rate ofeach of two or more discrete parameter values, it is required to checkthe image each time, and this work is easy for experienced persons, butis difficult for those who are not experienced.

[0010] In the second type of conventional technology described above, acontracted image for retrieval is prepared by referring to the size ofthe original image, so that, even in case of an edited and processedimage, a contracted image is prepared with the same magnification asthat for the original image. Therefore, for instance, when a rectangularimage is rotated, a portion of the image goes out of the frame of thecontracted image and the entire image rotated as described above can notbe displayed, which makes it impossible to fully grasp the rotated stateof the image.

[0011] Further, in the second conventional technology, when a portion ofan original image is separated in a specified form like in a case whereonly a section corresponding to a face is separated from a photographshowing the whole body, the separated section is contracted with thesame contraction ratio, so that the separated image is shown with asmall size in the contracted image, and in some situations the contentsof an original image can not fully be grasped from the contracted image.

[0012] Further, in the second type of conventional technology, a coloras an object for making transparent can not be changed, and when thereis the same color as that to be made transparent in may places, not onlythe blank section, but also sections having the same color as that to bemade transparent are disadvantageously made transparent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand a method for easily and efficiently editing and processing an imageand making it possible even for beginners to easily obtain a contractedimage with an optimal magnification for each edited and processed imagewhen contracted images for retrieval are prepared by using imagesobtained by editing and processing the original images by easily andefficiently changing desired parameter values of a plurality of imagesand also by changing a color as an object for the processing for makingtransparent when a blank section is colored with the color as an objectfor making transparent when an edited and processed image is stored, andalso to a computer-readable storage medium containing a computer programfor image processing recorded thereon.

[0014] With the present invention, a reference image is displayed at aspecified position on a screen and a peripheral image is displayedaround this reference image in n layers by correlating parameters of theperipheral image to scales of the vertical axis and horizontal axis.Thus, parameters of the reference image can be changed by visuallychecking the peripheral image. More specifically, a peripheral image islocated adjacent to the reference image in correlation to scales of thevertical axis and horizontal axis. Thus, an operator can easilyrecognize synthesis of amount of change of two parameters and change ofan image according to the synthesized parameters. Thus, the operator canquickly and efficiently change a plurality of parameters for thereference image.

[0015] With the present invention, it is inhibited that the sameparameter is selected as a parameter for both the vertical andhorizontal axes simultaneously, so that it is possible to prevent anoperator from setting the same parameter for both the vertical axis andhorizontal axis by mistake.

[0016] With the present invention, one out of a plurality of peripheralimages is specified and the specified peripheral image is extracted as areference image, so that operator can change two different parameters bysimply specifying an image having the most desired parameters from aplurality of displayed peripheral images. Further an operator can easilyand efficiently select an image closest to finally selected twoparameters only by successively specifying images close to a desiredimage, which makes it possible for the operator to more visually andintuitively change a plurality of parameter values simultaneously.

[0017] With the present invention, information concerning parametervalues of parameters for the vertical axis and horizontal axis isdisplayed at a specified position within or adjacent to a referenceand/or a peripheral image. Therefore, parameter values can visually bechecked and changed, and more specifically the amount of change caneasily be recognized when parameter values are changed by extracting aperipheral image as the reference image.

[0018] With the present invention, a contracted image with anappropriate size is displayed, so that an operator can easily andefficiently retrieve a desired image data file visually checking thecontracted image.

[0019] With the present invention, a rotated image as a whole isdisplayed as a contracted image, so that a degree of rotation of theoriginal image can simultaneously be checked by referring to thecontracted image.

[0020] With the present invention, an image separated from a contractedimage is displayed with the biggest size, so that contents of thecontracted image can clearly be identified and also how the image isseparated can visually be checked.

[0021] With the present invention, blank sections are colored and thecolored section is made transparent, so that a section to be madetransparent can easily be identified through a simple operation ofcoloring, which in turn makes it easier to synthesize the images.

[0022] With the present innovation, a color used for coloring the blanksections and which is to be made transparent is arbitrarily specified,so that it is possible to prevent a section not to be made transparentfrom being made transparent, which makes it easier to synthesize theimages.

[0023] With the present invention, when a color to be made transparentis set, the color is set by referring to and according to colors used inthe image, so that it is possible to prevent a section not to be madetransparent from being made transparent without specifying any specificcolor, which makes it easier to synthesize the images.

[0024] With the present invention, a color which is used least in animage is set as a color to be made transparent, so that the possibilityof clearing a section not to be made transparent is suppressed to theminimum level and images can easily be synthesized.

[0025] With the present invention, a history of editing and processingof an edited and processed image is displayed, so that an operator caneasily understand how the image has been edited and processed.

[0026] With the present invention, information concerning an originalimage of an edited and processed image is displayed, so that theoriginal image can easily be identified.

[0027] With the present invention, first to third dedicated displayingareas are provided as fixed areas, and positions and sizes of the areascan not be changed, so that always a screen having the sameconfiguration is displayed, and the operator can perceive the areas asone screen. Therefore, operator is not required to remember acomplicated operational sequence, and can intuitively use the imageprocessing apparatus.

[0028] With the present invention, even if the operator does notaccurately remembers a file name, he can quickly and easily select adesired image data file according to a thumbnail image as a key.

[0029] With the present invention, a reference image is displayed at aspecified position on a screen, and a peripheral image is displayedaround this reference image in n layers by correlating parameters of theperipheral image to scales of the vertical axis and horizontal axis.Thus, parameters of the reference image can be changed by visuallychecking the peripheral images. More specifically, a peripheral image islocated adjacent to the reference image in correlation to scales of thevertical axis and horizontal axis. Thus, synthesis of the amount ofchange of two parameters and change of an image according to thesynthesized parameter values can intuitively be recognized by anoperator so that the operator can quickly and effectively change aplurality of parameter values for the reference image.

[0030] With the present invention, it is inhibited that the sameparameter is selected as a parameter for both the vertical axis andhorizontal axis simultaneously, so that it is possible to prevent anoperator from setting the same parameter for both the vertical axis andhorizontal axis simultaneously by mistake.

[0031] With the present invention, one out of a plurality of peripheralimages is specified and the specified peripheral image is extracted as areference image, so that an operator can change the values of twodifferent parameters through a simple operation of only specifying animage having the most desired parameters from a plurality of peripheralimages being displayed on a screen. Further, the operator can easily andefficiently select an image closest to finally selected two parametersonly by successively specifying images close to a desired image, andfurthermore can visually and intuitively change a plurality of parametervalues.

[0032] With the present invention, information concerning parametervalues of parameters for the vertical axis and horizontal axis isdisplayed at a specified position within or adjacent to a referenceimage and/or a peripheral image. Therefore, the information can bereferred to when changing the parameter values, and more specificallythe amount of change can easily be recognized when changing theparameter values by extracting a peripheral image as a reference image.

[0033] With the present invention, a contracted image with anappropriate size is displayed, so that a desired image data file caneasily and efficiently be retrieved by referring the contracted image.

[0034] With the present invention, a rotated image as a whole isdisplayed as a contracted image, so that rotation status of the imagecan be confirmed in the contracted image.

[0035] With the preset invention, an image separated from a contractedimage is displayed with the biggest size, so that contents of an imagecan clearly be confirmed in the contracted image and how the image wasseparated can also be identified.

[0036] With the present invention, blank sections are colored and thecolored sections are made transparent, so that a section to be madetransparent can be identified through a simple operation of coloring andalso images can easily be synthesized.

[0037] With the present invention, a color used for coloring the blanksections and which is to be made transparent is arbitrarily specified,so that it is possible to prevent a section not to be made transparentfrom being made transparent, which in turn makes it easier to synthesizethe images.

[0038] With the present invention, when setting a color to be madetransparent, the color is set by referring to colors used in an image,so that it is possible to prevent a section not to be made transparentfrom being made transparent without specifying any specific color, whichin turn makes it easier to synthesize the images.

[0039] With the present invention, a color which is used least in animage is set as a color to be made transparent, so that images can besynthesized with a minimum possibility of making a section transparentwhich is not to be made transparent.

[0040] With the present invention, a history of editing and processingof an edited and processed image is displayed, so that an operator caneasily understand how the image was edited and processed.

[0041] With the present invention, information concerning an originalimage of an edited and processed image is displayed, so that theoriginal image can easily be identified.

[0042] With the present invention, first to third dedicated displayingareas are provided as fixed areas, and a position and a size of each ofthe areas can not be changed, so that always a screen having the sameconfiguration is displayed and the operator can grasp these areas as onescreen. Therefore, the operator is not required to remember acomplicated operational sequence and can intuitively use the imageprocessing apparatus without being embarrassed during operations.

[0043] With the present invention, eve if the operator does notaccurately remembers a file name, the operator can quickly and easilyselect a desired image data file according to a thumbnail image(contracted image) as a key.

[0044] Other objects and features of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045]FIG. 1 is an explanatory view functionally showing an image anddocument preparing system including an image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing hardware configuration of theimage processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

[0047]FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofthe image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

[0048]FIG. 4 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration of adisplay controller and a peripheral section thereof in the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 1;

[0049]FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing one example of a screendisplayed on a display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 1;

[0050]FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 1;

[0051]FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 1;

[0052]FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 1;

[0053]FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 1;

[0054]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a sequence of display controlprocessing according to Embodiment 1;

[0055]FIG. 11 is a block diagram functionally showing functions of adisplay controller and a peripheral section thereof in the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0056]FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screendisplayed on a display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 2;

[0057]FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a sequence of parameter settingprocessing according to Embodiment 2;

[0058]FIG. 14 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration of adisplay controller and a peripheral section thereof in the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0059]FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory views showing a portion of ascreen displayed on the display of the image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 3;

[0060]FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a sequence of processing forspecifying a peripheral image as well as the processing for extracting areference image according to Embodiment 3;

[0061]FIG. 17 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofthe display controller and a peripheral section thereof in the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0062]FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing an example of a portion ofa screen displayed on the display of the image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 4;

[0063]FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing another example of aportion of a screen displayed on the display of the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 4;

[0064]FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a sequence of processing forcontrolling display of information concerning parameters according toEmbodiment 4;

[0065]FIG. 21 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofan image changing section, an image controller, and peripheral sectionsthereof in the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 ofthe present invention;

[0066]FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 5;

[0067]FIG. 23 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a rectanglecomputing method executed by a rectangle computing section of the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 5;

[0068]FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing an example of a portion (acontracted image display area) of a screen displayed on the display ofthe image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5:

[0069]FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing a sequence of a series ofprocessing for displaying a contracted image in the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 5;

[0070]FIG. 26 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofan image changing section, a display controller and peripheral sectionsthereof in the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 ofthe present invention;

[0071]FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing an example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 6;

[0072]FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 6;

[0073]FIG. 29 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 6;

[0074]FIG. 30 is an explanatory view showing an example of a portion (acontracted image display area) of a screen displayed on the display ofthe image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 6;

[0075]FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing a sequence of a series ofprocessing for displaying a contracted image in the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 6;

[0076]FIG. 32 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofan image changing section and a peripheral section thereof in the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

[0077]FIG. 33 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7;

[0078]FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7;

[0079]FIG. 35 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7;

[0080]FIG. 36 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7;

[0081]FIG. 37 is an explanatory view conceptually showing processing forcomputing a rectangle executed by a rectangle computing section of theimage processing apparatus according to Embodiment 7;

[0082]FIG. 38 is an explanatory view conceptually showing processing forextracting a blank section executed by a blank extracting section of theimage processing apparatus according to Embodiment 7;

[0083]FIG. 39 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7;

[0084]FIG. 40 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7;

[0085]FIG. 41 is an explanatory view showing another example of a screendisplayed on the display of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7;

[0086]FIG. 42 is a flow chart showing a sequence of a series ofprocessing executed by an image changing section and a displaycontroller according to Embodiment 7;

[0087]FIG. 43 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofan image changing section, a display controller, and peripheral sectionsthereof in the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 8 ofthe present invention;

[0088]FIG. 44 is a flow chart showing a sequence of processing forsetting a color executed by a color setting section according toEmbodiment 8;

[0089]FIG. 45 is a flow chart showing a sequence of a series ofprocessing executed by an image changing section and a displaycontroller according to Embodiment 8;

[0090]FIG. 46 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofan image changing section, a display controller, and peripheral sectionsthereof in the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 9 ofthe present invention; and

[0091]FIG. 47 is an explanatory showing an example of a history ofediting and processing displayed on the display of the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0092] Detailed description is made for preferred embodiments of theimage processing apparatus, image processing method andcomputer-readable storage medium with a program for containing acomputer program for image processing recorded thereon each according tothe present invention with attached drawings.

[0093] At first description is made for configuration of a system forpreparing a document with an image (hereinafter referred to as image anddocument preparing system) including an image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is anexplanatory view functionally showing configuration of the image anddocument preparing system including the image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention as a whole. Thisimage and document preparing system comprises, as functionally shown inFIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 100 in turn comprising an inputsection 101, a processor 102, and an output section 103; and a hostcomputer system 105 connected to the image processing apparatus 100through a network such as a LAN.

[0094] The input section 101 executes processing for capturing an image,and includes, for instance, a scanner, an IC card, digital still camera,a photo CD reader or the like. The inputting section captures an image,converts the captured image into a one having a specified file format,and transmits the image to the processor 102.

[0095] The processor 102 executes processing such as registration,deletion, and change of the image captured by the input section 101, andexecutes the processing with the help of, for instance, a personalcomputer (PC). A image data memory 104 incorporated or externallyattached to the processor 102 stores the image data processed in theprocessor 102 in, for instance, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a rewritableCD-ROM, MOD, DVD or the like.

[0096] Further, the processor 102 provides display controls forretrieving the image data stored in the image data memory 104, paste theretrieved image data to other document, and displaying the document on adisplay, and also providing printing controls for printing the documentin the output section 103.

[0097] The output section 103 prints out image data and a documentincluding the image data put under control for printing by theprocessing section 102. For instance, a laser printer or a digitalcopying machine capable of printing monochrome images or full-coloredimages is included in the output section 103. Further, a printer capableof printing a name card or printing a card such as an ID card and thenlaminating the card is also included in the output section 103.

[0098] The host computer system 105 is connected to a PC as theprocessor 102 through a network such as a LAN, and comprises a hostcomputer 106, and a plurality of terminal devices 107 connected to thehost computer 106 through a network. Stored in the host computer is, forinstance, a personnel information file 108 concerning personnel affairs,and the personnel information file can be accessed from each any of theterminal device 107.

[0099] Further, information stored in the processor 102 can be linked toinformation stored in the personnel information file 108, and image datastored in the image data memory 104 in the processor 102 can beretrieved through the personnel information file 108 by inputtingpersonnel information such as a clerk No. or the like from the terminaldevices 107.

[0100] Examples of applications of the image and document preparingsystem includes, for instance, a name card preparing system forpreparing a name card with a photograph of the owner's face printedthereon, a post card preparing system for preparing post cards such asinformation cards each including photographs of products or faces ofstaff, an ID card preparing system for preparing an ID card with theowner's face printed thereon, a leaflet preparing system for preparingleaflets such as documents for business planning, pamphlets foradvertisement, or catalogs, and a card preparing system for preparingcards each with a photograph printed thereon.

[0101] Further the examples of application thereof includes a personnelaffairs information system for preparing and managing photographs orpersonnel histories of employees, a register with employees' facesprinted thereon such as their financial statements, address, maps; aused car retrieving system for retrieving information for used cars withphotographs of owners' faces printed thereon respectively; a purchaseinformation planning system for managing purchase information, a systemdedicated for construction systems with process management informationand a ledger for works synthesized therein; a system for preparing viewseach showing an anticipated completed construction work combined with athree-dimensional CAD system.

[0102] It is needless to say that these systems can also be used forpreparing and managing documents including color photographs or colorimages.

[0103] Hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 isdescribed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing hardware configuration ofthe image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, designated at the reference numeral 201 is a CPUcontrolling the entire system, at 202 a ROM with a boot program or thelike stored thereon, at 203 a RAM used as a work area for the CPU, at204 a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for controlling data read/write to and froma HD (hard Disk) 205 under controls by the CPU 201, and at 205 a HD forstoring data written thereon according to controls by the HDD 204.

[0104] Further, designated at the reference numeral 206 is a FDD (FloppyDisk Drive) for controlling data read/write to and from a FD (FloppyDisk) according to controls by the CPU 201, at 207 a FD freely set orremoved for storing data written under controls by the FDD 206, and at208 a display for displaying documents each including images or the likeand other functional information thereon.

[0105] Further, designated at the reference numeral 209 is a aninterface (I/F) connected via a communication line 210 to a network NETand functioning as an internal interface with the network NET, at 211 akeyboard having keys for entering characters, numbers, various types ofinstructions or the like, at 212 a mouse for moving a cursor and alsofor executing such functions as selection of a range, at 213 a scannerfor optically reading an image, at 214 a printer for printing thedocuments or the like, and at 215 a bus for connected the componentsdescribed above to each other.

[0106]FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration ofthe image processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent innovation. In FIG. 3, the processor 102 comprises, in additionto the image data memory 104, an operation instructing section 301, animage registering section 302, an image deleting section 303, an imagechanging section 304, an image retrieving section 305, an image pastesection 306, a display controller 307, a display 308, a print controller309.

[0107] The operation instructing section 301 gives instructions to theimage registering section 302, the image deleting section 303, the imagechanging section 304, the image retrieving section 305, the image pastesection 306, the display controller 307, and the print controller 309according to the contents of the display on the display 308. Theoperation instructing section 301 includes, for instance, the keyboard211 or a pointing device such as the mouse 212.

[0108] The image registering section 302 registers image data sent fromthe input section 101 as an image data file by adding a specified datasuch as a file name thereto, and stores the image data in the image datamemory 104.

[0109] The image deleting section 303 deletes image data already storedin the image data memory 104 according to an instruction for deletionfrom the operation instructing section 301.

[0110] The image changing section 304 changes image data in a image datafile already stored in the image data memory 104 according to aninstruction for changing from the operation instructing section 301, andstores the changed image data in the image data memory 104 again.

[0111] The image retrieving section 305 retrieves a desired image datafile from image data files already stored in the image data memory 104according to an instruction for retrieval from the operation instructingsection 301.

[0112] The image paste section 306 pastes image data already stored inthe image data memory 104 on a document according to an instruction forpaste from the operation instructing section 301.

[0113] The display controller 307 provides controls so that an image ofa image data file already stored in the image data memory 104 or acontracted image of the image is displayed on a screen of the display308. Detailed description of controls by the display controller is madelater.

[0114] The print controller 309 sends print data such as image data or adocument with images paste thereon to the output section 103 accordingto an instruction for printing from the operation instructing section301. Also the print controller 309 controls operations of the outputsection such as setting a number of copies to be printed according to aninstruction from the operation instructing section 301.

[0115] The image registering section 302, image deleting section 303,image changing section 304, image retrieving section 306, image pastesection 306, display controller 307, and print controller 309 realizethe respective functions when the CPU 201 or other related sectionexecutes various types of commands according to instructions describedin programs such as operating systems or application programs recordedin a storage medium such as the hard disk 205, or floppy disk 207.

[0116] The display 308 displays a document including images andcharacters or the like under controls by the display controller 307. Thedisplay 308 is, for instance, the display 208, and the display 208includes a CRT, a liquid crystal display or the like.

[0117] More detailed description is made for configuration of thedisplay controller 307. FIG. 4 is a block diagram functionally showingconfiguration of the display controller and the peripheral section inthe image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As shown inFIG. 4, the display controller 307 comprises a reference imageextracting section 401, a parameter managing section 402, a parametersetting section 403, a peripheral image preparing section 404, and animage display controller 405.

[0118] The reference image extracting section 401 is a section forextracting an image as a reference for editing and processing (referenceimage). More specifically, the reference image extracting section 401can extract an image having the same size as the image displayed on thedisplay 308 or a contracted image by clicking the mouse 212 or the likein the operating instructing section 301, or by specifying the imagefile name with the mouse 212 or from the keyboard 211 to read out theimage from the image data memory 104.

[0119] The parameter managing section 402 is a section for managing aplurality of parameters for a reference image. The parameters include,in addition to parameters indicating brightness, chroma, and hue of animage, a parameter indicating contrast, a parameter indicatingilluminant, those indicating the three element colors of red (R), green(G), and blue (B), and all other elements that define an image.

[0120] The parameter managing section 402 also manages parameter valuesof the plurality of parameters. Namely, the parameter managing section402 stores a value of each parameter for a reference value as areference parameter value.

[0121] The parameter setting section 403 selects arbitrary twoparameters of the plurality of parameters managed by the parametermanaging section 402 according to an instruction signal from theoperation instructing section 301. Detailed description for an operationfor selection executed by the operation instructing section 301 is madelater.

[0122] The parameter setting section 403 also sets the selected twoparameters as scales for the vertical axis and horizontal axis accordingto an instruction signal from the operation instructing section 301. Forinstance, the parameter setting section 403 sets a hue parameter as ascale for the vertical axis, and a brightness parameter as a scale forthe horizontal axis. Also detailed description for the operations forsetting scales for the vertical axis and horizontal axis are describedlater.

[0123] The peripheral image preparing section 404 is a section forpreparing an image obtained by changing parameter values of the twoparameter values selected by the parameter setting section 403 byspecified rate against the reference image (peripheral image) . Forinstance, when a hue parameter is set as a scale for the vertical axisand a chroma parameter as a scale for the horizontal axis, theperipheral image preparing section 404 prepares an image by increasingor reducing the hue parameter value for the reference image by aspecified amount (for instance, by 10 levels).

[0124] Further, the peripheral image preparing section 404 processes achroma parameter similarly. Further, the peripheral image preparingsection 404 prepares an image obtained by increasing the two parametervalues each by a specified amount, or an image obtained by reducing thetwo parameter values each by a specified amount, or other images inwhich any one of the parameter values is increased or reduceddiscretely.

[0125] The image display controller 405 is a section for providingcontrols over display so that a reference screen is displayed at aspecified position of a display screen of the display 308. The specifiedposition is previously specified at a place where the reference screenand the peripheral screen can easily be identified, but an operator mayspecify the position on a display screen of the display 308 through theoperation instructing section 301.

[0126] More specifically, it is desirable to provide the specifiedposition at the center of the screen, but the position may be moved withthe mouse 212 or other appropriate tool by dragging the position to aposition where the peripheral image is does not get hidden.

[0127] The image display controller 405 provides controls over displayso that the peripheral images are distributed around the reference imagein n layers in response to scales for the vertical axis and horizontalaxis set with the parameter values of the peripheral image.

[0128] More specifically, for instance, when a parameter for hue is setas a scale for the vertical axis and a parameter for brightness is setas a scale for the horizontal scale, display controls are provided sothat a peripheral image obtained by increasing a parameter value for hueof the reference image by a specified amount is located above thereference image, and a peripheral image obtained by reducing a parametervalue for hue by a specified amount is located below the referenceimage. Similarly, display controls are provided so that a peripheralimage obtained by increasing a parameter value for brightness by aspecified rate is located at the right side from the reference image anda peripheral image obtained by reducing the parameter value by aspecified rate is located at the right side from the reference image.

[0129] Further, a peripheral images are distributed around the referenceimage to surround the reference image in n layers, and consequently,when the peripheral image comprises only one layer, nine images(including the reference value) are distributed in the from of a 3×3matrix. When the peripheral images comprise two layers, twenty-fiveimages are distributed in the from of a 5×5 matrix. The number of imagescan be changed according to the resolution of the screen or according tothe contents or purpose of displaying the images. Detailed descriptionis made for display controls for a peripheral image.

[0130] The peripheral image preparing section 404 and image displaycontroller 405 realizes the respective functions when the CPU 201 orother related section executes commands according to instructionsdescribed in programs such as an operating system or applicationprograms recorded in a storage medium such as the ROM 202, RAM 203, harddisk 205, or floppy disk 207.

[0131] Next description is made for contents of operations of the imageprocessing apparatus as well as for contents of displays on a displayscreen with reference to specific examples of displays. FIG. 5 shows oneexample of a screen displayed on the display 308 of the image processingapparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Thescreen shown in FIG. 5 is a basic screen of the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the screencomprises a file name displaying area 501 occupying an upper side of thesubstantially left half of the screen, a contracted image displayingarea 502 occupying an area below the file name displaying area 501, anda selected image displaying area 503 occupying substantially right halfof the screen.

[0132] These areas are not displayed with a multiwindow, but aredisplayed in fixed areas respectively, and positions and sizes of theseareas can not be changed. Thus, a screen having the same configurationis always displayed, so that the operator can identify these areas asone screen. The operator is not embarrassed during operation because heneed not remember a complicated operational sequence and can easilyoperate the image processing apparatus and also can efficiently edit andprocess the images.

[0133] In the file name displaying area 501, file names stored in theimage data memory 104, namely in the hard disk 205 or floppy disk 207are displayed hierarchically. Operator can select a desired image datafile by retrieving and specifying the desired image data file from amongthe image data files displayed in the file name displaying area 501.

[0134] In the contracted image displaying area 502 a plurality ofcontracted images are displayed. The contracted image is generallycalled as thumbnail, and the thumbnail is obtained by contacting actualimage data with a specified magnification so that the operator canimmediately identify to which file the image data file corresponds to bychecking the contracted image. File name of an image data file for thethumbnail is displayed under each thumbnail.

[0135] In place of displaying file names in the file name displayingarea 501 folders containing the files may be displayed in the file namedisplaying area 501 as shown in FIG. 5. The operator can select adesired image by specifying a folder in the file name displaying area501 and clicking a desired thumbnail itself with the mouse 212 or thelike displayed in the contracted displaying area 502.

[0136] In this case, even if the operator does not remember a correctfile name, he can quickly and easily select a desired image data fileusing the thumbnail images as the key.

[0137] By previously adding a specified key word such as “person”,“landscape”, “for business use”, or “for personal use” to each imagedata file, the operator can easily rearrange and display the thumbnailsaccording to the key word. Therefore, even if a number of registereddata files increases, the operator can quickly retrieve a desired imagedata file by rearranging the data files according to the key word.

[0138] In the example displayed in FIG. 5, eight thumbnails aredisplayed in three rows, but an arrangement of displayed thumbnails or anumber of displayed thumbnails can be changed according to a resolutionof the display, contents of a displayed image or a difference in theretrieving method.

[0139] The selected image displaying area 503 is an area for displayingan image based on image data file selected from a file name in the filename displaying area 501 or an image data file selected according to athumbnail in the contracted image displaying area 502. As a form ofdisplay, a standard display for displaying an image with a standard sizeand a size-changed display for displaying an image with a size desiredby the operator are conceivable.

[0140] The size may be specified by inputting a percentage ofmagnification, and when 100% is inputted, an image is displayed with theoriginal size, and when any numerical values smaller than 100% isinputted the image is displayed in a reduced size, and when a numericalvalue larger than 100% is entered the image is displayed in an enlargedsize.

[0141] In the selected image displaying area 503, by specifying acommand from a preset menu, or by double-clicking the image itself, theimage currently being displayed can be displayed on the entire screen sothat the file name displaying area 501 and contracted image displayingarea 502 hide below the image. With this operation, the work for editingand processing of the image can be executed efficiently. This operationis especially effective when a large image is to be edited andprocessed.

[0142] When the processing for editing and processing an image iscompleted, by specifying a command from a preset menu, or bydouble-clicking the image itself again, again the image can be displayedin the original selected image displaying area, and the file namedisplaying area 501 and contracted image displaying area 502 aredisplayed again.

[0143] Next, description is made for the operations for adjusting acolor as well as for contents of a screen. FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 are exampleof screens displayed on the display 308 of the image processingapparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. A screen as shown in FIG. 6 isdisplayed when a color adjustment menu is selected on the basic screenshown in FIG. 5.

[0144] In the screen shown in FIG. 6, there is no charge in the selectedimage displaying area 503, while a color adjustment menu 601 isdisplayed in place of the file name displaying area 501 and contractedimage displaying area 502. The color adjustment menu 601 consists of aparameter selection button displaying area 602 and a parameteradjustment bar displaying area 603.

[0145] The parameter selection button displaying area 602 comprises a“brightness/contrast” button 604, a “colorbalance” button 605, an “RGBcorrection” button 606, a “hue/chroma” button 607, and an “adjustmentcomplete” button 608. When the button 608 is operated, all theadjustments are completed and the basic screen is displayed.

[0146] In the parameter adjustment bar displaying area 603, a displayscreens to be displayed when the “brightness/contrast” button 604 isoperated are displayed, and also an adjustment bar 609 for brightnessand an adjustment bar 610 for contrast are displayed therein. Further, acheck box 611 for specifying whether a catalog viewer for displayingperipheral screens in addition to the reference screen for adjustmentwhen adjusting parameters is displayed. The catalog viewer is describedlater.

[0147] A level volume 612 is provided for each of the adjustment bars609 and 610, and each parameter value can be changed by dragging thelevel volume 612 in the horizontal direction with the mouse 212.

[0148] A screen displayed when the “RGB correction” button 606 isoperated is shown in FIG. 7. An adjustment bar 701 for a red color (R),an adjustment bar 702 for a green color (G), and an adjustment bar 703for a blue color (B) are displayed in the parameter adjustment bardisplaying area 603. Each of the adjustment bars 701, 702, and 703 hasthe same configuration as that of the adjustment bar 609, so thatdescription thereof is omitted herein.

[0149] Further, a screen when the “hue/chroma” button 607 is operated isshown in FIG. 8. An adjustment bar 801 for hue, an adjustment bar 802for brightness and an adjustment bar 803 for chroma are displayed in theparameter adjustment bar displaying area 603. Each of the adjustmentbars 801, 802, 803 has the same configuration as that of the adjustmentbar 609, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

[0150] Next, description is made for the catalog viewer. FIG. 9 shows anexample of a screen when the check box 611 for specifying whether thecatalog viewer is to be displayed or not is checked. In FIG. 9, acatalog viewer 900 is displayed in a window form in the popped-up state.

[0151] In the catalog viewer 900 nine image are displayed in a 3×3matrix form. The image displayed at the center is a reference image 901,and eight peripheral images 902 to 909 are displayed around thereference image 901.

[0152] Provided in the window 900 are a horizontal axis parameter frame910 for setting a parameter for the horizontal axis and a vertical axisparameter frame 911 for setting a parameter for the vertical axis. InFIG. 9, a parameter for chroma is set on the horizontal axis, and thatfor hue on the vertical axis respectively.

[0153] A scale (horizontal scroll bar) 912 for a parameter value forchroma is provided in the horizontal direction (in the upper side) ofnine images, and also a scale (vertical scroll bar) 913 for a parametervalue for hue is provided in the vertical direction (at the left side)of the nine images according to the parameter set as described above.

[0154] A parameter value for chroma increases as one goes rightward onthe horizontal scroll bar, and a parameter value decrease as one goesleftward. Likely, a parameter value for hue increases as one goes upwardon the vertical scroll bar, and a parameter value decrease as one goesdownward.

[0155] A “close” button 914 for closing the window of the catalog viewer900 is provided on the catalog viewer 900.

[0156] The reference image 901 is an image obtained by contracting thesame image as that displayed in the selected image displaying area 503.Therefore, the parameter values for chroma and hue of the referenceimage 901 are the same as those for the image displayed in the selectedimage displaying area 503.

[0157] Now, description is made for the peripheral images 902 to 909.Each of the peripheral images 902 to 909 is the same image as thereference image 901, and is obtained by changing either one of or bothof parameter values for chroma and hue of the reference image 901 by aspecified amount.

[0158] Assuming that parameter values for the reference image 901 are(0, 0), when a change in the specified amount of the parameter values isplus or minus 10, parameter values for the peripheral image 902 becomes(−10, 0), those for the peripheral image 903 becomes (0, 10), those forthe peripheral image 904 becomes (10, 10), those for the peripheralimage 905 becomes (−10, 0), those for the peripheral image 906 becomes(10, 0), those of the peripheral image 907 becomes (−10, −10), those forthe peripheral image 908 becomes (0, −10), and those for the peripheralimage 909 becomes (10, −10).

[0159] Taking the parameter values for the peripheral image 902 as anexample, a parameter value for chroma on the horizontal axis is −10 ascompared to that for the reference image 901, while a parameter valuefor hue on the vertical axis is +10 as compared to that for thereference image 901. Thus, the peripheral image 902 is located at theleft side from the reference image 901 for chroma, and at the upper sidefrom the reference image 901 for hue. Consequently, the peripheral image902 is located at the left upper side from the reference image 901.

[0160] As for other peripheral images 903 to 909, the peripheral image903 is located at the upper side from the reference image 901, theperipheral image 904 at the right upper side, peripheral image 905 atthe left side, peripheral image 906 at the right side, peripheral image907 at the left lower side, peripheral image 908 at the lower side, andperipheral image 909 at the right lower side from the reference image901 each from the reference image 901 respectively.

[0161] Thus, the peripheral images 902 to 909 surround the referenceimage 901 with the latter being at the center by correlating parametersfor the peripheral images 902 to 909 to the horizontal scroll bar 912indicating a scale for the horizontal axis as well as to the verticalscroll bar 913 indicating a scale for the vertical axis.

[0162] To change an image, dragging or other appropriate operation isperformed on the horizontal scroll bar 912 and/or the vertical scrollbar 913. With this operation, an image based on parameter values changedaccording to the scroll bars is displayed.

[0163] Description is made for a sequence of processing for providingcontrols over display of the reference image 901 and peripheral images902 to 909 performed by the display controller 307. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a sequence of the display control processing in Embodiment1.

[0164] In the flow chart shown in FIG. 10, at first determination ismade as to whether an instruction for displaying the catalog viewer 900has been issued or not, namely whether the check box 611 has beenchecked or not. When it is determined that the instruction has beenissued (step S1001, YES), determination is made as to whether parametersfor the vertical axis and horizontal axis have been specified or not(step S1002).

[0165] When it is determined in step S1002 that the parameters have beenspecified (step S1002, YES), the specified parameters are set (stepS1003). On the other hand, when it is determined that the parametershave not been specified (step S1002, NO), default values set for theparameters are set as the specified parameters (step S1004).

[0166] Next, the parameter values of parameters of the reference image901 for the horizontal axis and vertical axis set in step S1003 or stepS1004 are acquired from the parameter managing section 402 (step S1005).

[0167] Next the peripheral image 902, namely the peripheral imagelocated at the left upper side from the reference image 901 is prepared(step S1006). More specifically, a parameter value x of a parameter forthe horizontal axis for the reference value is set to 0 (x=0), and x−10is set as a parameter value of a parameter for the horizontal axis ofthe peripheral image 902. Likely for the vertical value, a parametervalue y for the reference value is set to 0 (y=0), and y+10 is set as aparameter value for the vertical axis. Thus, the parameter values forthe peripheral image 902 become (x−10, y+10).

[0168] Operations from step S1007 to step S10013 are executed accordingto the same sequence as that in step S1006. It should be noted that theoperations in step S1006 to step S1013 are not always required to beexecuted according to the sequence as described above. In addition,although parameters are computed by referring to the parameter values ofthe reference image in the above description, the parameter values maybe computed by referring to other peripheral images already preparedamong the eight peripheral images.

[0169] When all of the peripheral images 902 to 909 are prepared thereference image 901 is displayed on the screen (step S1014), and thenthe peripheral images 902 to 909 are displayed on the same displayscreen (step S1015).

[0170] In the above description, after all of the peripheral images 902to 909 have been prepared, the reference image 901 is displayed, but thereference image 901 may be displayed before the peripheral images 902 to909 are prepared. Also in the above description, the peripheral images902 to 909 are displayed after all of the peripheral images 902 to 909are prepared, but the peripheral images may be displayed each time eachdiscrete peripheral image is prepared.

[0171] Next, determination is made as to whether parameters for changingthose currently being set have been specified or not (step S1016). Whenit is determined in step S1016 that the parameters have been specifiedagain (step S1016, YES), system control shifts to step S1003, and thesame processing is repeated in the subsequent steps.

[0172] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1016 that theparameters have not bee specified, determination is made as to whetherthe “close” button 914 for closing the catalog viewer 900 has beenoperated or not (step S1017).

[0173] When it is determined in step S1017 that the “Close” button 914is operated (step S1017, YES) , the catalog viewer 900 is closed (stepS1018), and the processing sequence is terminated.

[0174] When it is determined in step S1017 that the “close” button 914has not been operated (step S1017, NO), system control shifts to stepS1016, and the same processing sequence is repeated in the subsequentsteps.

[0175] As described above, with this Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention, parameter values for a reference image can be changed whilereferring to the peripheral image. Especially, the peripheral images arelocated around the reference image in correlation to parameters for thevertical axis and horizontal axis, so that the amount of change in eachparameter value, how the image has been changed, and balance with otherparameters can intuitively be recognized, and also parameters canquickly and efficiently be changed.

[0176] Although the parameter setting section 403 sets parameters forvertical and horizontal axes by entering parameters in a horizontal-axisparameter setting frame 911 and a vertical-axis parameter setting frame912 in Embodiment 1, like in Embodiment 2 described below, parametersmay be set by selecting from a plurality of preset parameters.

[0177] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration in the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the display controller 307 is alsothe same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereof is alsoomitted herein.

[0178] Next, description is made for the display controller 307. FIG. 11is a block diagram functionally showing configuration of the displaycontroller and peripheral sections thereof in the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Theconfiguration of the other sections thereof excluding a parametersetting section 1101 is the same as those of Embodiment 1, so thatdescription thereof is also omitted herein.

[0179] The parameter setting section 1101 previously prepares parameterswhich can be set as parameters for the vertical and horizontal axes,displays candidates for those parameters on the screen, and setsparameters from the parameter candidates one by one for each axisaccording to an instruction signal from the operation instructingsection 301.

[0180] In this case, controls are provided so that any parameter thesame as that already set on either of the axes can not be set on theother axis. It is meaningless to set the same parameter in both of theaxes, because if the operator sets the parameters by mistake, theremight occur a conflict between parameter values in an image in the upperleft side and an image in the lower right side from the reference image.

[0181] Next, description is made for setting of scales for the verticalaxis and the horizontal axis. FIG. 12 shows an example of a screendisplayed on the display 308 of the image processing apparatus accordingto Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 12, a parameterconcerning current chroma is set in a horizontal-axis parameter settingframe 1201, and a parameter concerning hue is set in a vertical-axisparameter setting frame 1202.

[0182] By pressing a button 1203 at the right edge of thehorizontal-axis parameter setting frame 1201, selectable candidates aredisplayed as a pull-down menu. It can be seen that hue and brightnessincluding the currently set chroma are displayed thereon as selectableparameter candidates. As for the vertical-axis parameter setting frame1202, similarly to the horizontal-axis parameter setting frame 1201, bypressing a button 1203 at the right edge thereof, hue, chroma, andbrightness are also displayed thereon as selectable candidates.

[0183] When a parameter of hue is to be selected and set in thehorizontal-axis parameter setting frame 1201 in the state shown in FIG.12, the parameter setting section 1101 recognizes that the parameter ofhue has already been set in the vertical-axis parameter setting frame1202, sends a notice to that effect to the operator, and inhibits thesetting of a parameter of hue by invalidating entry of a parameter ofhue in the horizontal-axis parameter setting frame 1201.

[0184] The parameter setting section 1101 may permit, in the same caseas described above, setting of a parameter concerning hue in thehorizontal-axis parameter setting frame 1201 in place of sending thenotice to that effect to the operator and/or in place of reporting it,and in turn automatically set other selectable parameter in place of theparameter concerning hue already set in the vertical-axis parametersetting frame 1202, in this case, a parameter concerning chroma orbrightness in place of hue in the frame 1202.

[0185] By operating as described above, when the operator wants tochange only the axis from the vertical axis to the horizontal axis or insome other similar cases, other parameter can automatically be set onthe vertical axis on condition that only the axis is directly set to thehorizontal axis, which makes it possible to reduce the time and effortsrequired for the work that a parameter for the vertical axis is changeand a parameter the horizontal axis is set.

[0186] Next, description is made for a sequence of setting theparameters by the parameter setting section 1101 in Embodiment 2. FIG.13 is a flow chart showing the sequence of parameter setting accordingto Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0187] In the flow chart of FIG. 13, at first the parameter settingsection 1101 sets parameters set as default values in thehorizontal-axis parameter setting frame 1201 and the vertical-axisparameter setting frame 1202 (step S1301).

[0188] Then, the parameter setting section 1101 determines whethereither of the parameters in the horizontal-axis parameter setting frame1201 and the vertical-axis parameter setting frame 1202 is changed ornot (step S1302), and if it is determined that the parameter has beenchanged (step S1302, YES), the parameter setting section 1101 determineswhether the changed parameter is the same as that in the other axisparameter setting frame or not (step S1303).

[0189] In step S1303, when it is determined that the parameters are notthe same (step S1303: NO), the processing shifts to step S1302. On theother hand, when it is determined in step S1303 that the parameter isthe same as the other frame (step S1303, YES), then, the parametersetting section 1101 determines whether setting for reporting has beenmade or not (step S1304).

[0190] In step S1304, when it is determined that the setting forreporting has been made (step S1304, YES), the parameter setting section1101 sends a report to that effects to the operator (step S1305). Then,the parameter setting section 1101 invalidates the change of theparameter in step S1302 (step S1306) and relieves the report mode (stepS1307), and the processing shifts to step S1302.

[0191] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1304 that thesetting for reporting has not been made (step S1304: NO), the parametersetting section 1101 changes a parameter in the other parameter settingframe which is not one where the parameter has been changed to anyparameter other than the currently set parameter (step S1308). Then, theprocessing shifts to the step S1302 and the same processing as describedabove is repeated hereinafter.

[0192] As described above, with Embodiment 2, it can be inhibited thatthe same parameter is concurrently set on the vertical and horizontalaxes, so that it is possible to prevent an operator from setting thesame parameter for both the vertical axis and horizontal axis bymistake.

[0193] The present invention in Embodiments 1 and 2 described above mayadd thereto functions of specifying one peripheral image from theperipheral images and extracting the specified peripheral image as areference image like in Embodiment 3 described below. Description ismade hereinafter for Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0194] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 3 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration of the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the display controller 307 is alsothe same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereof is alsoomitted herein.

[0195] Next, description is made for the display controller 307. FIG. 14is a block diagram functionally showing configuration of the displaycontrol and peripheral sections thereof in the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Theconfiguration of the other sections thereof excluding a peripheral imagespecifying section 1401 and a reference image extracting section 1402 isalso the same as those of Embodiment 1, so that description thereof isalso omitted herein.

[0196] Next, description is made for the peripheral image specifyingsection 1401. The peripheral image specifying section 1401 is a sectionfor specifying one peripheral image from the peripheral images displayedon the screen. More specifically, the peripheral image specifyingsection 1401 specifies one peripheral image from the peripheral imagesaccording to an instruction signal from the operation instructingsection 301.

[0197] For instance, a mouse cursor is shifted within an area where aperipheral image to be specified is displayed and is clicked on with amouse 212 to specify one peripheral image. In addition to thespecification described above, one peripheral image may be specifiedwith an arrow key on the keyboard 211.

[0198] The reference image extracting section 1402 extracts a peripheralimage specified by the peripheral image specifying section 1401 as areference image. Accordingly, the peripheral image specified by theperipheral image specifying section 1401 is handled, by the referenceimage extracting section 1402, as a reference image in place of theimage having been used as a reference image until then.

[0199] The peripheral image specifying section 1401 and reference imageextracting section 1402 realize the respective functions when the CPU201 or other related section executes commands according to instructionsdescribed in programs such as an operating system or applicationprograms recorded in a storage medium such as the ROM 202, RAM 203, harddisk 205, or floppy disk 207.

[0200] The parameter managing section 402, parameter setting section403, peripheral image preparing section 404, and image displaycontroller 405 execute the same processing as that in Embodiment 1, sothat description thereof is omitted herein.

[0201] Next, description is made for contents of processing forspecifying a peripheral image and extracting a reference image withreference to a specific screen. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B show a portion(catalog viewer 900) of a screen displayed on the display 308 of theimage processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the presentinvention. In FIG. 15A, a reference image and the peripheral images aredisplayed in a 3×3 matrix. Numbers from A1 to C3 are assigned to thoseimages for convenience in description. Accordingly, the image B2 is thereference image.

[0202] A mouse cursor 1501 is moved on the screen by operating the mouse212. The mouse cursor 1501 changes its form according to its position.In FIG. 15A, the cursor is positioned at the peripheral image A3, and asthe peripheral image A3 moves downwards in a leftward-slanting directionby being specified, so that the form of the cursor 1501 is also changedto a form with arrows representing its downward movement in aleftward-slanting direction and its upward movement in arightward-slanting direction.

[0203] When the mouse cursor is moved to the position of the peripheralimage Cl, the mouse cursor also has the same form as described above.Similarly, when the mouse cursor 1501 is moved to the position of theperipheral image B1 or B3, the mouse cursor has a form with arrows inthe right/left directions; when the mouse cursor is moved to theposition of the peripheral image A2 or C2, the mouse cursor has a formwith arrows in the vertical direction; and when the mouse cursor ismoved to the position of the peripheral image A1 or C3, the mouse cursorhas a form with arrows representing its downward movement in arightward-slanting direction and its upward movement in aleftward-slanting direction.

[0204] Herein, the mouse cursor 1501 is pointed within a display area ofthe peripheral image A3 located in the right upper side from thereference image and the button of the mouse is clicked. FIG. 15B shows adisplay state of the screen after clicking. It can be seen that theimage A3 which was a peripheral image has moved to the position wherethe reference image is located. In association with this movement, theimage B2 which was the reference image moves downward in the left sidefrom the image A3. Namely, the image as a whole results in moving by oneimage to a downward direction in the left side in response tospecification of the peripheral image in the upper right side. Asdescribed above, the entire images move so that the specified peripheralimage moves to the position of the reference image.

[0205] In association with movement of the peripheral image A3 whoseparameter values are (10, 10), an image whose parameter values are(x+10, y+10) is prepared anew for the position where the peripheralimage A3 has originally been located by the peripheral image preparingsection 404, so that a peripheral image with parameter values of (10+10,10+10), namely (20, 20) is displayed therein. As described above,parameter values of two parameters for a selected image can alsoconcurrently be changed as a result.

[0206] Next, description is made for a sequence of specifying aperipheral image and extracting a reference image by the peripheralimage specifying section 1401 and reference image extracting section1402 respectively in Embodiment 3. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing thesequence of specifying a peripheral image and extracting a referenceimage according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0207] In the flow chart of FIG. 16, at first, the peripheral imagespecifying section 1401 determines whether any image is specified or not(step S1601). Herein, the peripheral image specifying section 1401 waitsfor specification of an image (step S1601: YES) and determines when animage is specified whether the image is a peripheral image or not (stepS1602).

[0208] In step S1602, when it is determined that the specified image isa peripheral image (step S1602: YES), the reference image extractingunit 1402 extracts the peripheral image as a reference image andacquires parameter values for the peripheral image (step S1603). Then,the processing shifts to step S1006 in FIG. 10 of Embodiment 1. Thesequence of processing after this is the same as that in Embodiment 1,so that description thereof is omitted herein.

[0209] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1602 that thespecified image is not a peripheral image but a reference image (stepS1602: NO), the peripheral image specifying section 1401 determines thatchanging parameter values has been finished, confirms the parametervalues with the catalog viewer 900 (step S1604), closes the catalogviewer 900 (step S1605), and ends all the processing.

[0210] As described above, with Embodiment 3, one peripheral image isspecified from a plurality of peripheral images, and the specifiedperipheral image is extracted as a reference image, so that parametervalues for two different parameters can be changed with a simpleoperation of specifying an image with the most desired parameter valuesfrom the plurality of displayed peripheral images, which allows theoperator to more visually and intuitively change a plurality ofparameter values.

[0211] The present invention in Embodiments 1 to 3 described above mayadd thereto a function of displaying information concerning parametervalues within or adjacent to an image displayed as shown in Embodiment 4described below. Description is made hereinafter for Embodiment 4 of thepresent invention.

[0212] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration of the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the display controller 307 is alsothe same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereof is alsoomitted herein.

[0213] Next, description is made for the display controller 307. FIG. 17is a block diagram functionally showing configuration of the displaycontroller and peripheral sections thereof in the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Theconfiguration of the other sections thereof excluding a parameter valueinformation display controller 1701 is also the same as those ofEmbodiment 1, so that description thereof is also omitted herein.

[0214] Next, description is made for the parameter value displaycontroller 1701. The parameter value information display controller 1701is a section for providing controls for displaying informationconcerning parameter values at a specified position within a referenceimage and/or a peripheral image or adjacent to a reference image and/ora peripheral image displayed on the screen.

[0215] The parameter value information display controller 1701 acquiresinformation concerning parameter values of parameters for each axis ofimages from the reference image extracting section 401 and referenceimage preparing section 404 respectively according to a displayinstruction signal indicating that parameter value information should bedisplayed from the operation instructing section 301, and displays theacquired information at a specified position in a specified displayformat (including a display color).

[0216] The parameter value information display controller 1701 deletesinformation concerning the already displayed parameter values from thescreen according to a display instruction signal indicating that theparameter value information should be deleted from the operationinstructing section 301.

[0217] The parameter value information display controller 1701 realizesits function when the CPU 201 or other related section executes commandsaccording to instructions described in programs such as an operatingsystem or application programs recorded in a storage medium such as theROM 202, RAM 203, hard disk 205, or floppy disk 207.

[0218] Information concerning parameter values is a difference value,assuming that the parameter value of the reference image is 0 as alsodescribed in Embodiment 1, as the amount of change rate obtained bychanging a parameter value of a peripheral image against a parametervalue of a reference image.

[0219] In addition, a different reference value concerning a parametervalue is provided, each parameter value for a reference image and aperipheral image is computed according to the reference value, and thecomputed parameter value may be displayed as information concerning aparameter value. In short, the information concerning parameter valuesincludes any information with which comparison can be made betweenparameter values of a reference image and parameter values of aperipheral image.

[0220] As a typical method of displaying information concerningparameter values, there is a method of displaying information using (x,y) conceivable as a simple and recognizable display method. Herein, xindicates a parameter value of a parameter for a horizontal axis and yindicates a parameter value of a parameter for a vertical axisrespectively. The display method is not limited to this method describedabove, and includes any display methods each with which a parametervalue of a parameter for a horizontal axis and a parameter value of aparameter for a vertical axis can be recognized.

[0221] Next, description is made for contents of a sequence of displaycontrols for information concerning parameter values with reference to ascreen. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show a portion (catalog viewer 900) of ascreen displayed on the display 308 of the image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0222] In FIG. 18, information concerning parameter values is displayedwithin the reference image and the peripheral images. The contents ofdisplay is as described above. In FIG. 18, although each information1801 concerning parameter values is displayed in the lower right side ofeach image, the display thereof is not limited to this position, and adisplay position can arbitrarily be changed according to the contents ofthe image or some other conditions. Further, a display position may bechanged for each image.

[0223] When information concerning parameter values is displayed, acolor which can be discrimination from a color of an image is used sothat it can be avoided that using a color of a display similar to thatof the image makes it difficult to recognize it. Especially, when astate of an image is changed by changing parameter values, a color of adisplay is changed according to the state of the change.

[0224] Further, of the image, only a portion of the image only at aposition where information concerning a parameter is displayed isdeleted, and the information concerning a parameter is displayed at thedeleted position using a recognizable color, so that the informationconcerning a parameter can surely be displayed within an image each timewithout changing a color of the display.

[0225] In FIG. 19, the information concerning parameter values displayedadjacent to the reference image and peripheral images. In FIG. 19, adedicated area 1901 provided specifically for displaying informationconcerning parameters is located in the lower side of each image, andinformation concerning parameter values is displayed within thededicated area 1901. Therefore, the information can surely be displayedwithout preparing an area where the contents of an image may be hiddenby displaying information concerning parameter values thereon.

[0226] Next, description is made for a sequence of display controls forinformation concerning parameter values executed by the parameter valueinformation display controller 1701 in Embodiment 4. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the sequence of display controls for informationconcerning parameter values according to Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention.

[0227] In the flow chart in FIG. 20, at first, the parameter valueinformation display controller 1701 determines whether an instruction tothe effect that information concerning parameter values is to bedisplayed is received or not (step S2001). Herein, the parameter valueinformation display controller 1701 waits for the instruction fordisplay in step S2001 (step S2001: NO), and when it is determined thatthe instruction is received acquires the parameter values of an image asan object for display (step S2002).

[0228] Then, the parameter value information display controller 1701displays the acquired parameter values in step S2002 on a specifiedposition of the screen in a specified display format (step S2003). Thenthe parameter value information display controller 1701 determineswhether an instruction to the effect that information concerningparameter values is to be deleted is received or not (step S2004).

[0229] The parameter value information display controller 1701 waits forthe instruction for display in step S2004 (step S2004: NO), and when itis determined that the instruction is received deletes the informationconcerning the displayed parameter values. Then the processing shifts tostep S2001, and the same processing as described above is repeatedhereinafter.

[0230] As described above, with Embodiment 4, information concerningparameter values are displayed at a specified position within oradjacent to the reference image and the peripheral images with anumerical value, so that the numerical values can be referred to whenthe parameter values are to be changed.

[0231] Especially, when a peripheral image is specified and parametervalues of the peripheral image are changed by changing the referenceimage, the operator can identify how much parameter values have beenchanged with the data for which peripheral image is specified to and inwhat way it is specified; the change rate with numerical values. As theoriginal reference image is displayed with numerical values (0, 0), theoperator can easily and quickly find where the original reference imageis because of display of the numerical values although it is quitedifficult to visually determine with only the images which image is theoriginal reference image.

[0232] In Embodiment 5 described below, a rotated image as a whole isdisplayed as a contracted image, so that the operator can easily graspthe inclination or the like of the image from the contracted image.

[0233] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 5 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration of the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the image changing section 304 anddisplay controller 307 is also the same as those in Embodiment 1, sothat description thereof is also omitted herein.

[0234] Detailed description is made for configuration of the imagechanging section 304 and display controller 307. FIG. 21 is a blockdiagram functionally showing configuration of the image changing section304, the display controller 307, and the peripheral section thereof inthe image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5. As shown inFIG. 21, the image changing section 304 comprises an editing andprocessing section 2101, a rectangle computing section 2102, and acontracted image preparing section 2103. The display controller 307comprises a contracted image display controller 2104. Further, theediting and processing section 2101 includes an image rotating section2105.

[0235] The editing and processing section 2101 is a section which editsand processes an image displayed on the display 308 by the displaycontroller 307 and stored in the image data memory 104. The editing andprocessing includes all of editing and processing for an image such asrotating a displayed image by a specified angle with the image rotatingsection 2105, reversing an image, changing a number of pixels of animage, color adjustment for a color image, and synthesizing the imagesor the like.

[0236] It should be noted that available technology is used for therotation of an image by the image rotating section 2105. Details of theprocessing for rotation of an image will be described later. Further,image edited and processed by the editing and processing section 2101 isstored in the image data memory 104 with a file name added thereto.

[0237] The rectangle computing section 2102 computes a rectangle havinga minimum size among those that can cover the rotated image. When arectangular image is obtained by rotating the image by a specified anglewith the image rotating section 2105, the rectangle with a minimum sizeis naturally larger than the rotated rectangular image. A method ofcomputing a rectangle is described later.

[0238] The contracted image preparing section 2103 is a section forpreparing a contracted image and prepares a contracted image accordingto a form (an aspect ratio) and a size of the rectangle computed by therectangle computing section 2102.

[0239] The contracted image display controller 2104 is a control sectionfor providing controls for displaying a contracted image prepared by thecontracted image preparing section 2103 at a specified position on thescreen of the display 308. A display position and a display method aredescribed later.

[0240] The editing and processing section 2101, rectangle computingsection 2102, contracted image preparing section 2103, contracted imagedisplay controller 2104, and image rotating section 2105 realize therespective functions when the CPU 201 or other related section executescommands according to instructions described in programs such as anoperating system or application programs recorded in a storage mediumsuch as the ROM 202, RAM 203, hard disk 205, or floppy disk 207.

[0241] Next, description is made for the processing of rotating animage. FIG. 22 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 308in the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of thepresent invention. In FIG. 22, a selected image 2201 obtained byrotating the image selected in FIG. 5 by 45 degrees is displayed in theselected image displaying area 503.

[0242] As a method of instructing to rotate a graphics, there is amethod of inputting, for instance, a desired rotational angle and arotational direction through the keyboard 211 to rotate an image aroundthe center of the image. There may be employed a method of rotating animage to a specified angle by dragging the image with the mouse 212 orthe like. The method of rotating an image is not particularly limited.

[0243] The selected image 2201 has the same size as that of the imagedisplayed in the selected image displaying area 503 in FIG. 5. However,it is clear that the image as a whole is not displayed within theselected image displaying area 503 because of the rotation of the imageby 45 degrees.

[0244] Description is made for a method of computing a rectangle by therectangle computing section 2102. FIG. 23 explains the rectanglecomputing method employed by the rectangle computing section 2102 in theimage processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the presentinvention.

[0245] In FIG. 23, a rotated rectangular image 2300 has four vertexes2301 (x1, y1), 2302 (x2, y2), 2303 (x3, y3), and 2304 (x4, y4). Of thosevertexes, vertexes having the largest and the smallest coordinates for xand those having the largest and the smallest coordinates for y areextracted respectively. The largest coordinate for x is x3, and thesmallest is x1. The largest coordinate for y is y4, and the smallest isy2.

[0246] A rectangle 2305 to be obtained is shown by a dotted line. Byobtaining two vertexes on a diagonal line of the rectangle, a rectanglewith the minimum size covering the image 2300 can be obtained. A vertex2306 (X1, Y1) and a vertex 2307 (X2, Y2) on the diagonal line thereofare obtained as X1=x1, Y1=y4, X2=x3, and Y2=y2.

[0247] Namely, it is understood that the vertexes of the rectangle 2305to be computed are coordinates with, of each vertex of the rotatedrectangle, the maximum value of the coordinate in the x direction andthe minimum value of the coordinate in the y direction, and those withthe minimum value of the coordinate in the x direction and the maximumvalue of the coordinate in the y direction. A length of each side of therectangle 2305 is a length as a difference obtained by comparing thecoordinates between the two vertexes of the rectangle 2305 in the xdirection to each other and the coordinates therebetween in the ydirection to each other, and subtracting the small value from the largevalue in each direction. The rectangle 2305 is computed as describedabove.

[0248] Next, description is made for preparation of a contracted imageand display controls for a contracted image with reference to a displayexample of a contracted image. FIG. 24 shows one example of a portion(contracted image displaying area 502) of a screen displayed on thedisplay 308 in the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5of the present invention. In FIG. 24, eight contracted images aredisplayed, but this number is only for the convenience of description,and it does not matter for the processing even if the twenty-fourcontracted images are displayed as shown in FIG. 5.

[0249] In FIG. 24, four images based on the same original image buthaving a different angle of rotation are displayed as contracted images.A contracted image 2401 is not rotated, so that its angle of rotation is0 degree. A contracted image 2402 is rotated by 45 degrees in theclockwise direction, a contracted image 2403 is rotated by 90 degrees,and a contracted image 2404 is rotated by 135 degrees in the samedirection respectively.

[0250] As for the contracted image 2401, the rectangle 2305 with aminimum size among those that cover the image is the same as the image2401 in size, so that the rectangle is compared to the length andbreadth sizes of a frame with the contracted image displayed therein,the original image is contracted with a specified magnification so thatthe entire image 2401 becomes a maximum image displayable in the frame,and the contracted image is displayed in a display frame.

[0251] As for the contracted image 2402, the rectangle 2305 is computedusing the method as described above, the rectangle 2305 is compared tothe length and breadth sizes of the display frame, and the originalimage is contracted by a specified magnification so that the entirerectangle 2305 is displayable with its maximum size, and the contractedimage is displayed in a display frame.

[0252] As understood when the images in FIG. 24 are compared to eachother, the rectangle 2305 is larger than the original image in size,therefore, the contraction ratio of the original image is larger, sothat it is obvious that the image itself is smaller as compared to thecontracted image 2401. However, the rotation of the image is clearlyunderstood, so that the speed and efficiency for retrieving a desiredimage is extremely improved. The same effect is obtained in thecontracted images 2403 and 2404.

[0253] Description is made for a sequence of a series of processing fordisplaying a contracted image in Embodiment 5. FIG. 25 is a flow chartshowing the sequence of a series of processing for displaying acontracted image in the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 5 of the present invention. In the flow chart in FIG. 25, atfirst, a selected image is edited and processed in various ways (stepS2501).

[0254] Then, it is determined in step S2501 whether the edited andprocessed image is rotated or not (step S2502). In step S2502, when itis determined that the image is not rotated (step S2502: NO), theprocessing shifts to step S2504. While in step S2502, when it isdetermined that the image is rotated (step S2502: YES), a rectangle witha minimum size which covers the rotated image is computed (step S2503).

[0255] Then, in step S2504, a contracted image is prepared according toa rectangle with a minimum size covering the rotated or the rotatedimage. Then, the contracted image prepared in step S2504 is displayed ata specified position of the display 308 (step S2505), and all theprocessing is ended.

[0256] As described above, with Embodiment 5, the rotated image as awhole is displayed as a contracted image, so that the operator caneasily grasp the inclination or the like of the image on the contractedimage, and quickly and efficiently retrieves the image thereby.

[0257] In Embodiment 5, although the image edited and processed by theediting and processing section 2101 is an image obtained by rotating arectangular image by a specified angle, but like in Embodiment 6described below, the image may be an image obtained by separating theimage edited and processed by the editing and processing section with ashape other than the rectangle.

[0258] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 6 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration in the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the image changing section 304 andthe display controller 307 is also the same as those in Embodiment 1, sothat description thereof is also omitted herein.

[0259] Description is made for the image changing section 304 anddisplay controller 307. FIG. 26 is a block diagram functionally showingconfiguration of the image changing section 304, display controller 307,and the peripheral section thereof in the image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 26,the image changing section 304 comprises an editing and processingsection 2601, a rectangle computing section 2602, and a contracted imagepreparing section 2603. The display controller 307 comprises acontracted image display controller 2604. Further, the editing andprocessing section 2601 includes an image separating section 2605.

[0260] The editing and processing section 2601 is a section which editsand processes an image displayed on the display 308 by the displaycontroller 307 and stored in the image data memory 104. The editing andprocessing includes all of editing and processing for an image such asseparating a displayed image having a specified form by the imageseparating section 2605, reversing an image, changing a number of pixelsof an image, color adjustment for a color image, and synthesizing theimages or the like.

[0261] It should be noted that available technology is used forseparation of an image by the image separating section 2605. Details ofthe processing for separation of an image will be described later.Further, image edited and processed by the editing and processingsection 2601 is stored in the image data memory 104 with a file nameadded thereto.

[0262] The rectangle computing section 2602 computes a rectangle havinga minimum size among those that can cover the edited and processedimage, especially an image whose size has changed due to separationthereof. The maximum value as well as minimum value of the coordinatesin the x direction and the maximum value as well as minimum value of thecoordinates in the y direction are obtained, similarly to that of therectangle computing section 2101 in Embodiment 5, according to thecoordinates of the trail along the separated line of the separatedimage, and the rectangle is computed from the obtained values.

[0263] The configuration of the contracted image preparing section 2603and image display controller 2604 is the same as that of the contractedimage preparing section 2103 and contracted image display controllingsection 2104 according to Embodiment 5, so that description thereof isomitted herein.

[0264] The editing and processing section 2601, rectangle computingsection 2602, contracted image preparing section 2603, contracted imagedisplay controller 2604, and image separating section 2605 realize therespective functions when the CPU 201 or other related section executescommands according to instructions described in programs such as anoperating system or application programs recorded in a storage mediumsuch as the ROM 202, RAM 203, hard disk 205, or floppy disk 207.

[0265] The contents of operations of the image processing apparatus aswell as the contents of display on the screen according to Embodiment 6are the same as those especially described in Embodiment 1 withreference to FIG. 5, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

[0266] Next, description is made for separation of an image. FIG. 27shows one example of a screen displayed on the display 308 of the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.In FIG. 27, an oval indicated by a dotted line is a separating line 2701for an image. To separate an image with the oval, at first a type ofarea is selected.

[0267] As the type of areas, in addition to the oval, a polygon, a freehand, and a template are prepared. The oval is realized with the mouse212 or the like by pressing the mouse button thereof or the like at adesired position, and moving the mouse 212 while pressing the buttonuntil the area becomes of a desired size and shape with the ovalseparating line 2701 indicated by a dotted line appearing on the screenin response to releasing the pressing of the mouse button or the like atthe point of time the area has become the desired size and shape.

[0268] The polygon is formed with the mouse 212 or the like by making asingle-click at a desired position which position is regarded as avertex of the polygon. Then the operator double-clicks the mouse at eachof the vertices of the polygon and returns to the position where themouse was single-clicked and the completes polygon. Thus, the polygonalseparating line indicated by a dotted line appears on the screen.

[0269] In a case of a free hand, a shape is drawn with the mouse 212 orthe like by pressing the mouse button thereof or the like at a desiredposition, drawing a desired shape freehand with the button beingpressed, and by automatically lining from the position at the point oftime the pressing of the mouse button is relieved to the original startpoint, a closed area is completed. The closed area is confirmed as anarea to be separated, and the separating line for the area to beseparated indicated by a dotted line appears on the screen.

[0270] Next, description is made for specification of an area with atemplate. FIG. 28 shows another example of a screen displayed on thedisplay 308 of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 6of the present invention. In FIG. 28, there appear a plurality oftemplates (a heart-shaped template 2801, a spade-shaped template 2802, adiamond-shaped template 2803, a clover-shaped template 2804, and astar-shaped template 2805) thereon. The templates are not limited tothese five described above and the operator can create an arbitraryshape and register the shape as a template.

[0271]FIG. 29 shows another example of a screen displayed on the display308 of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of thepresent invention. In FIG. 29, an image is separated by using theheart-shaped template 2801 with the heart-shaped separating line 2901appearing on the image. The processing of separating an image with atemplate is the same as that of separating an image with the oval sothat description thereof is omitted herein.

[0272] Description is made for preparation of a contracted image anddisplay controls for the prepared contracted image with reference to adisplay example of a contracted image. FIG. 30 shows one example of aportion (contracted image displaying area 502) of a screen displayed onthe display 308 of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 6 of the present invention. In FIG. 30, eight contractedimages are displayed the same as that of FIG. 8 in Embodiment 1, butthis is only for the convenience of description, and it does not mattereven if twenty-four contracted images are displayed as shown in FIG. 27.

[0273] In FIG. 30, three images each of which is based on the sameoriginal image but having a different separated area from the originalimage are displayed as contracted images. A contracted image 3001 isobtained by contracting the original image as it is. A contracted image3002 is obtained by being separated with an oval matching the size ofthe face, a contracted image 3003 is obtained by being separated withthe heart-shaped template 2801 also matching the size of the face, and acontracted image 3004 is obtained by being separated also with thestar-shaped template 2805.

[0274] As for the contracted image 3001, a rectangle with a minimum sizewhich can cover the image is the same as the image 3001 in size. Thus,the size of rectangle is compared with the length and breadth of a framewhere the contracted image is to be displayed. Controls are provided sothat the original image is contracted with a specified magnificationsuch that the entire image 3001 becomes a maximum image displayable inthe frame and the image is displayed in a display frame.

[0275] As for the contracted image 3002, a rectangle with a minimum sizewhich can cover the separated image is computed, the size of therectangle is compared with the length and breadth of the display frame,and controls are provided so that the original image is enlarged by aspecified magnification such that the entire rectangle is displayablewith its maximum size and the image is displayed in a display frame.

[0276] As understood when the images in FIG. 30 are compared to eachother, the rectangle is smaller than the original image in size,therefore, the contraction ratio of the original image is smaller, sothat it is obvious that the image itself (a portion of the face) islarger as compared to the contracted image 3001. The same effect isobtained in the contracted images 3003 and 3004.

[0277] Next description is made for a sequence of a series of processingfor displaying a contracted image in Embodiment 6. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the sequence of a series of processing for displaying acontracted image in the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 6 of the present invention. In the flow chart in FIG. 31, atfirst, a selected image is edited and processed in various ways (stepS3101).

[0278] Then, it is determined in step S3101 whether the edited andprocessed image is separated or not (step S3102). In step S3102, when itis determined that the image is not separated (step S3102: NO), theprocessing shifts to step S3104. While in step S3102, when it isdetermined that the image is separated (step S3102: YES), a rectanglewith a minimum size which can cover the separated image is computed(step S3103).

[0279] Then, in step S3104, a contracted image is prepared according tothe rectangle with a minimum size covering the not separated or theseparated image. Then, the contracted image prepared in step S3104 isdisplayed at a specified position of the display 308 (step S3105), andall the processing is ended.

[0280] As described above, with Embodiment 6, the separated image as awhole is displayed as a contracted image, so that the image is displayedlarger as compared to the original image so as to check characteristicsof a separated portion on the contracted image. This allows the operatorto easily check the characteristics of each image, and quickly graspsituations such as separated shape and size of the image on thecontracted image, and because of this feature, the operator canefficiently retrieve any image.

[0281] In Embodiment 7 described below, by specifying a color to be atransparent color, operator can arbitrarily select a color used forcoloring a section to be made transparent, so that it is possible toavoided a situation in which a section not to be made transparent isdisadvantageously made transparent.

[0282] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration in the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the image changing section 304 andthe display controller 307 is also the same as those in Embodiment 1, sothat description thereof is also omitted herein.

[0283] Detailed description is made for configuration of the imagechanging section 304. FIG. 32 is a block diagram functionally showingconfiguration of the image changing section 304 and the peripheralsection thereof in the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 32, the imagechanging section 304 comprises an editing and processing section 3201, arectangle computing section 3202, a blank extracting section 3203, acolor specifying section 3204, and a clearing section 3205. Further, theediting and processing section 3201 includes an image rotating section3206 and an image separating section 3207.

[0284] The editing and processing section 3201 is a section which editsand processes an image displayed on the display 308 by the image displaycontroller 307 and stored in the image data image 104. The editing andprocessing includes the processing of rotating a displayed image by aspecified angle with the image rotating section 3206 and the processingof separating a displayed image in a specified shape by the imageseparating section 3207, reversing an image, changing a number of pixelsof an image, color adjustment for a color image, and synthesizing theimages or the like.

[0285] It should be noted that available technology is used for rotationof an image by the image rotating section 3206 and separation of animage by the image separating section 3207. Details of the processingfor rotation of an image and separation of an image will be describedlater. Further, image edited and processed by the editing and processingsection 3201 is stored in the image data memory 104 with a file nameadded thereto.

[0286] The rectangle computing section 3202 computes a rectangle havinga minimum size among those that can cover the edited and processedimage. The blank extracting section 3203 extracts a blank section whichis a section other than the edited image of the rectangle computed bythe rectangle computing section 3202. The color specifying section 3204specifies a color used for coloring the blank section extracted by theblank extracting section 3203.

[0287] More specifically, when the edited and processed image is storedin the image data memory 104, the operator specifies a color from atransparent color setting screen. The clearing section 3205 makestransparent the section colored with a specified color by the colorspecifying section 3204. Details of the processing for computing arectangle, extracting a blank, specifying a color, and transparentprocessing will be described later.

[0288] The editing and processing section 3201, rectangle computingsection 3202, blank extracting section 3203, color specifying section3204, clearing section 3205, image rotating section 3206, and imageseparating section 3207 realize the respective functions when the CPU201 or other related section executes commands according to instructionsdescribed in programs such as an operating system or applicationprograms recorded in a storage medium such as the ROM 202, RAM 203, harddisk 205, or floppy disk 207.

[0289] Next, description is made for the processing for rotating animage. FIG. 33 shows another example of a screen displayed on thedisplay 308 of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 7of the present invention. In FIG. 33, a selected image 3301 obtained byrotating the image selected in FIG. 5 by 45 degrees in the clockwisedirection is displayed in the selected image displaying area 503.

[0290] As a method of instructing to rotate a graphics includes a methodof inputting, for instance, a desired rotational angle and a rotationaldirection through the keyboard 211 to rotate an image around the centerof the image. There may be employed a method of rotating an image to aspecified angle by dragging the image with the mouse 212 or the like.The method of rotating an image is not particularly limited.

[0291] The selected image 3301 has the same size as that of the imagedisplayed in the selected image displaying area 503 in FIG. 5. However,it is clear that the image as a whole is not displayed within theselected image displaying area 503 because of the rotation of the imageby 45 degrees.

[0292] Description is made for the processing of separation of an image.FIG. 34 shows one example of a screen displayed on the display 308 ofthe image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the presentinvention. In FIG. 34, an oval indicated by a dotted line is aseparating line 3401 for an image. To separate an image with the oval,at first a type of area is selected. As the types of areas, in additionto the oval, a polygon, a free hand, and a template are prepared.

[0293] The oval is realized with the mouse 212 or the like by pressingthe mouse button thereof or the like at a desired position, and movingthe mouse 212 while pressing the button until the area becomes of adesired size and shape with the oval separating line 3401 indicated by adotted line appearing on the screen in response to releasing thepressing of the mouse button or the like at the point of time the areahas become the desired size and shape.

[0294] The polygon is formed with the mouse 212 or the like by making asingle-click at a desired position which position is regarded as avertex of the polygon. Then the operator double-clicks the mouse at eachof the vertices of the polygon and returns to the position where themouse was single-clicked and the completes polygon. Thus, the polygonalseparating line indicated by a dotted line appears on the screen.

[0295] In a case of a free hand, a shape is drawn with the mouse 212 orthe like by pressing the mouse button thereof or the like at a desiredposition, drawing a desired shape freehand with the mouse button beingpressed, and by automatically lining from the position at the point oftime the pressing of the mouse button is relieved to the original startpoint, a closed area is completed. The closed area is confirmed as anarea to be separated, and the separating line for the area to beseparated indicated by a dotted line appears on the screen.

[0296] Next, description is made for specification of an area with atemplate. FIG. 35 shows another example of a screen displayed on thedisplay 308 of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 7of the present invention. In FIG. 35, there appear a plurality oftemplates (a heart-shaped template 3501, a spade-shaped template 3502, adiamond-shaped template 3503, a clover-shaped template 3504, and astar-shaped template 3505) thereon. The templates are not limited tothese five described above and the operator can create an arbitraryshape and register the shape as a template.

[0297]FIG. 36 shows another example of a screen displayed on the display308 of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of thepresent invention. In FIG. 36, an image is separated by using theheart-shaped template 3501 with the heart-shaped separating line 3601appearing on the image. The processing of separating an image with atemplate is the same as that of separating an image with the oval sothat description thereof is omitted herein.

[0298] Description is made for a method of computing a rectangle by therectangle computing section 3202. FIG. 37 explains the rectanglecomputing method employed by the rectangle computing section 3202 in theimage processing apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the presentinvention. In FIG. 37, a rotated rectangular image 3700 has fourvertexes 3701 (x1, y1), 3702 (x2, y2), 3703 (x3, y3), and 3704 (x4, y4).

[0299] Of those vertexes, vertexes having the largest and the smallestcoordinates for x and those having the largest and the smallestcoordinates for y are extracted respectively. The largest coordinate forx is x3, and the smallest is x1. The largest coordinate for y is y4, andthe smallest is y2.

[0300] A rectangle 3705 to be obtained is shown by a dotted line. Byobtaining two vertexes on a diagonal line of the rectangle, a rectanglewith the minimum size covering the image 3700 can be obtained. A vertex3706 (X1, Y1) and a vertex 3707 (X2, Y2) on the diagonal line thereofare obtained as X1=x1, Y1=y4, X2=x3, and Y2=y2.

[0301] Namely, it is understood that the vertexes of the rectangle 3705to be computed are coordinates with, of each vertex of the rotatedrectangle, the maximum value of the coordinate in the x direction andthe minimum value of the coordinate in the y direction, and those withthe minimum value of the coordinate in the x direction and the maximumvalue of the coordinate in they direction. A length of each side of therectangle 3705 is a length as a difference obtained by comparing thecoordinates between the two vertexes of the rectangle 3705 in the xdirection to each other and the coordinates therebetween in the ydirection to each other, and subtracting the small value from the largevalue in each direction. The rectangle 3705 is computed as describedabove.

[0302] A method of computing a rectangle with a minimum size among thosewhich can cover the image whose size has been changed especially due toseparation thereof with the image separating section 3207 is realized,similarly to that of the rotated rectangular image, by obtaining themaximum value as well as minimum value of the coordinates in the xdirection and the maximum value as well as minimum value of thecoordinates in the y direction according to the coordinates of the trailalong the line of separation of the image, and the rectangle is computedfrom the obtained values.

[0303] Next, description is made for extraction of a blank by the blankextracting section 3203. FIG. 38 explains the method of blank extractionemployed by the blank extracting section 3203 in the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 38shows a separated image 3801 and a rectangle 3802 covering the image3801. The image 3801 and the rectangle 3802 contact each other atcontact points a, b, c, d, and e.

[0304] A blank section is a section remained when the image 3801 isremoved from the rectangle 3202, and a blank section 3803 is an areabetween the contact points a and b, a blank section 3804 is an areabetween the contact points b and c, a blank section 3805 is an areabetween the contact points c and d, a blank section 3806 is an areabetween the contact points d and e, and a blank section 3807 is an areabetween the contact points e and a respectively. Those blank sections3803 to 3807 can be obtained by computing a difference based on thecoordinates indicating the area of the image 3801, coordinatesindicating the area of the rectangle 3802, and coordinates of thecontact points a to e. The blank extracting section 3203 extracts ablank as described above.

[0305] Next description is made for processing of specifying a color bythe color specifying section 3204. FIG. 39 shows another example of ascreen displayed on the display 308 of the image processing apparatusaccording to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In FIG. 39, when“Option (O)”—“Environment settings”—“Transparent-color settings” arechosen from the menu bar, a transparent-color setting screen 3900appears on the screen. Eight colors are previously prepared in thetransparent-color setting screen 3900 for selecting a transparent color.

[0306] A white color selection box 3901, a red color selection box 3902,a green color selection box 3903, a blue color selection box 3904, apink color selection box 3905, a light-blue color selection box 3906, ayellow color selection box 3907, and a black color selection box 3908appear in the transparent-color selection box in the area below the areawhere “Select a transparent color” appears. The operator specifies adesired color used for coloring a blank section from those selectionboxes 3901 to 3908.

[0307] A method of specifying one of the colors is generally realized bymoving a mouse cursor above the area of a desired selection box with themouse 212 or the like and clicking the mouse button or the like. When atransparent color is not to be used, the operator specifies agray-colored box 3909 for not using a transparent color appearing in thelower side of the area described “Transparent color is not used” in thesame manner as described above.

[0308] The color specified by clicking the mouse 212 or the like appearsin a display box 3910 in the lower side of the area described“transparent color being selected”. When the box 3909 for not using atransparent color is specified, the gray color appears in the displaybox 3910. When specification of the color is confirmed, “OK” button 3911is operated, then the color specification is completed, and thetransparent-color setting screen 3900 is closed. With this, theprocessing of specifying a color is completed. When a color is to bechanged, repetition of the same processing allows colors to be changedfor any number of times.

[0309] Color specification is generally performed with a white color.Accordingly, the default value is also set to the white color. However,when an image is based on white color as a whole, for instance, when theimage is a photograph of a snowscape, and if the white color isspecified, not only the blank section is made transparent but also thesection of the image having a white color is disadvantageously madetransparent. In that case, the problem described above can be avoided byspecifying one of the other colors.

[0310] After the color is specified, when the image is edited andprocessed, for instance, when a portion of the image is selected and theselected image is stored in the image data memory 104, the color in theblank section in the rectangle having a minimum size covering theseparated shape is colored with the color specified at the time ofspecifying a color. If the same processing is performed withoutspecifying a color therefor, the section is colored with a white colorwhich is the default color. When the separation is executed after thespecifying the box 3909 for not using a transparent color, the whitecolor as the default is also used for coloring.

[0311] Description is made for transparent processing by the clearingsection 3205. FIG. 40 and 41 show another examples of a screen displayedon the display 308 of the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 40 shows a case in which atransparent processing is subjected when the images are synthesized,while FIG. 41 shows a case in which the transparent processing is notsubjected.

[0312] The transparent processing by the clearing section 3205 isprocessing for making transparent the image in the corresponding colorsection, when there is a color to be made transparent in an image 4000as an object for editing and processing including blank sections 4001indicated by a dotted line so that an image hidden below the image as anobject for editing and processing can be seen. In FIG. 40, as the blanksections 4001 are colored with a color to be made transparent, theseblank sections are made transparent so that the image hidden below theimage projects and appears.

[0313] On the other hand, in FIG. 41, blank sections 4101 are notcolored with a color to be made transparent, so that the blank sectionsare not made transparent and are shown as they are. The case where theblank sections 4101 are not colored with a color to be made transparentincludes, in the color specifying section 3204, for instance, a casewhere a color to be made transparent is changed to a different colorfrom the color used for coloring a blank section after an image isstored, or a case where a color used for coloring a blank section ischanged to a different color after an image is stored.

[0314] Description is made for a sequence of a series of processing bythe image changing section 304 as well as for the display controller 307in Embodiment 7. FIG. 42 is a flow chart showing the sequence of aseries of processing for the image changing section 304 as well as forthe display controller 307 according to Embodiment 7 of the presentinvention. In the flow chart in FIG. 42, at first, a selected image isedited and processed in various ways (step S4201).

[0315] Then, it is determined whether the image edited and processed instep S4201 is rotated or not (step S4202). It is also determined whetherthe image edited and processed in step S4201 is separated or not (stepS4203).

[0316] When it is determined that the image is subjected to either oneof the processing in step S4202 and step S4203 (step S4202: YES, or stepS4202: NO and step S4203: YES), a rectangle having a minimum size whichcan cover the edited and processed image is computed (step S4204).

[0317] On the other hand, when it is determined that the image issubjected to neither of the processing in step S4202 nor the processingin step S4203 (step S4202: NO, and step S4203: NO), the processingshifts to step S4211. When a rectangle is computed in step S4204, theimage changing section extracts blank sections from the differencebetween the rectangle and the edited and processed image (step S4205).

[0318] Then, it is determined whether a color used for coloring a blanksection is specified or not (step S4206) . In step S4206, when it isdetermined that a color is specified, the blank sections are coloredwith the specified color (step S4207). While in step S4206, when it isdetermined that a color is not specified, the blank sections are coloredwith the white color which is a default color (step S4208).

[0319] Then, it is determined whether there is a color in the imagewhich is the same as the color set to be made transparent or not (stepS4209). In step S4209, when it is determined that such a color exists(step S4209: YES), the portion of the image having that color is madetransparent (step S4210). While in step S4209, when it is determinedthat such a color does not exist (step S4209: NO), the processing shiftsto step S4211. Finally, the image is displayed (step S4211), and all theprocessing is ended.

[0320] As described above, with Embodiment 7, by specifying a colorwhich is to be made transparent, the operator can arbitrarily select anycolor used for coloring a section to be made transparent, so that it ispossible to be avoided that any section not to be made transparent isdisadvantageously made transparent.

[0321] Although a color to be made transparent is specified by the colorspecifying section 3204 in Embodiment 7 described above, like inEmbodiment 8 described below, a color to be made transparent may be setaccording to the colors in the image.

[0322] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 8 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration in the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the image changing section 304 isalso the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereof isalso omitted herein.

[0323] Next description is made for the image changing section 304. FIG.43 is a block diagram functionally showing configuration of the imagechanging section 304 and the peripheral section thereof in the imageprocessing apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

[0324] As shown in FIG. 43, the image changing section 304 comprises anediting and processing section 4301, a rectangle computing section 4302,a blank extracting section 4303, a color setting section 4304, and aclearing section 4305. Further, the editing and processing section 4301includes a image rotating section 4306 and a image separating section4307. It should be noted that the configuration of the sectionsexcluding the color setting section 4304 is the same as those inEmbodiment 7, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

[0325] The editing and processing section 4301, rectangle computingsection 4302, blank extracting section 4303, color setting section 4304,clearing section 4305, image rotating section 4306, and image separatingsection 4307 realize the respective functions when the CPU 201 or otherrelated section executes commands according to instructions described inprograms such as an operating system or application programs recorded ina storage medium such as the ROM 202, RAM 203, hard disk 205, or floppydisk 207.

[0326] Next description is made for the processing of setting a color bythe color setting section 4304. FIG. 44 is a flow chart showing asequence of processing of color settings by the color setting section4304 according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In the flowchart in FIG. 44, at first, the color setting section 4304 analyzes thecolors of an edited and processed image (step S4401) . The color settingsection 4304 determines whether there is a color that is not used in theedited and processed image or not among a plurality of preset colors,for instance, eight colors set as candidates for color settings inEmbodiment 7 (step S4402).

[0327] In step S4402, when it is determined that there is a color whichis not present in the image, the color setting section 4304 determinesif there are a plurality of such colors (step S4403). When it isdetermined that there are a plurality of such colors (step S4403: YES),one arbitrary color from these colors is extracted (step S4404), thenthe processing shifts to step S4406. While in step S4403, when it isdetermined that a plurality of such colors do not exist, namely there isonly one such color (step S4403: NO), the processing shifts to stepS4406.

[0328] In step S4402, when it is determined that there is not a singlesuch color (step S4402: NO), the color setting section 4304 extracts acolor used least from the plurality of colors present in the image (stepS4405).

[0329] In step S4406, the extracted color is set as a transparent color,and all the processing is ended.

[0330] Next description is made for a sequence of a series of processingby the image changing section 304 as well as for the display controller307 in Embodiment 8. FIG. 45 is a flow chart showing the sequence of aseries of processing for the image changing section as well as for thedisplay controller according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.In the flow chart in FIG. 45, the processing in step S4501 to step S4507is the same as that in step S4201 to step S4207 in FIG. 42 of Embodiment7, so that description thereof is omitted herein.

[0331] In step S4506, when a color is not specified, a transparent coloris set according to the sequence shown in the flow chart of FIG. 44, andthe blank sections are colored with the transparent color (step S4508) .The processing in step S4509 to step S4511 is also the same as that instep S4209 to step S4211 in FIG. 42 of Embodiment 7, so that descriptionthereof is also omitted herein.

[0332] As described above, with Embodiment 8, a color that is used leastamong colors in an image is set as a transparent color, so that it ispossible to be avoided that any section not to be made transparent isdisadvantageously made transparent.

[0333] In Embodiment 9, a history of editing and processing of the imageedited and processed is displayed, so that the operator can easily grasphow the image is edited and processed, and can edit and process theimage according to the displayed history of editing and processing.

[0334] The hardware configuration of an image and document preparingsystem as a whole including an image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 9 of the present invention and the image processing apparatus100 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that description thereofis omitted herein. The configuration in the other sections of the imageprocessing apparatus 100 excluding the image data memory 104, imagechanging section 304, and display controller 307 is also the same asthose in Embodiment 1, so that description thereof is also omittedherein.

[0335] Next description is made for the image data memory 104, imagechanging section 304, and display controller 307. FIG. 46 is a blockdiagram functionally showing configuration of the image data memory 104,image changing section 304, display controller 307, and the peripheralsection thereof in the image processing apparatus according toEmbodiment 9 of the present invention.

[0336] As shown in FIG. 46, the image data memory 104 includes anediting/processing history storing section 4602. The image changingsection 304 includes an editing and processing section 4601. The displaycontroller 307 includes an editing/processing history display controller4603.

[0337] The editing and processing section 4601 edits and processes animage appearing on a screen. The editing and processing includes theprocessing of reversing an image, changing a number of pixels of animage, color adjustment for a color image, and synthesizing the imagesor the like. The image edited and processed by the editing andprocessing section 4601 is stored in the image data memory 104 with afile name added thereto.

[0338] The editing/processing history memory 4602 stores thereon ahistory of editing and processing of an image edited and processed bythe editing and processing section 4601. At this point of time, thehistory is stored in correlation to the image processed in the editingand processing section 4601. The editing/processing history memory 4602also stores thereon information for an original image as an object forediting and processing.

[0339] The editing/processing history display controller 4603 displaysthe history of editing and processing stored in the editing/processinghistory memory 4602 together with the image on the screen. Theediting/processing history display controller 4603 also displaysinformation for the original image as an object for editing andprocessing stored in the editing/processing history memory 4602.

[0340] The editing and processing section 4601, editing/processinghistory memory 4602, and editing/processing history display controller4603 realize the respective functions when the CPU 201 or other relatedsection executes commands according to instructions described inprograms such as an operating system or application programs recorded ina storage medium such as the ROM 202, RAM 203, hard disk 205, or floppydisk 207.

[0341] Next, description is made for contents of a history of editingand processing. FIG. 47 shows one example of a history of editing andprocessing displayed on the display 308 of the image processingapparatus according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention. On thescreen shown in FIG. 5, and in a state where an image is displayed inthe selected image displaying area 503, by moving the cursor to the areaof the image and clicking the right button or the like of the mouse, aediting and processing history display screen 4700 shown in FIG. 47 isdisplayed.

[0342] In FIG. 47, displayed in information for the history of editingand processing are the file name of the image, name of the folder inwhich this file is stored, name of the original image as an object forediting and processing, name of the operator who has done the editingand processing, date and time of editing and processing, and contents ofediting and processing. A path indicating the location of the originalimage is also displayed. Further, when the path is hyper-linked, byclicking on this path section with the mouse or the like the originalimage can also directly be displayed on the selected image displayingarea 503.

[0343] There are displayed contents concerning editing and processing,for instance, the level to which hue, brightness, and chroma arechanged, the level at which RGB correction is performed, or the angle bywhich the image is rotated or the like.

[0344] The operator may select only the required information of editingand processing and only the selected information may be displayed. Thus,only the contents as an object for editing and processing may bedisplayed.

[0345] Further, by pressing “History Copy” button 4702, the displayedhistory information can be copied, and other images can automatically beedited and processed according to the copied history information.

[0346] As described above, with Embodiment 9, the history of editing andprocessing of an image edited and processed is displayed, so that theoperator can easily grasp how the image is edited and processed, and caneasily and efficiently edit and process the image according to thedisplayed history of editing and processing.

[0347] Further, information concerning an original image as an objectfor editing and processing is displayed, so that the operator can easilyidentify the original image and can easily and efficiently edit andprocess the image.

[0348] It should be noted that the image processing methods having beendescribed in Embodiments 1 to 9 are realized by making a computer suchas a personal computer and a work station execute a program previouslyprepared therein. This program is recorded in a computer-readablestorage medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, an MO or aDVD, and the computer executes the program after reading it out from thestorage medium. This program can also be distributed through thereceding medium and a network.

[0349] With the present invention, a reference image is displayed at aspecified position on a screen and a peripheral image is displayedaround this reference image with n layers by correlating parameters ofthe peripheral image to scales of the vertical axis and horizontal axis.Thus, parameters of the reference image can be changed by visuallychecking the peripheral image. More specifically, a peripheral image islocated adjacent to the reference image in correlation to scales of thevertical axis and horizontal axis. Thus, an operator can easilyrecognize synthesis of amount of change of two parameters and change ofan image according to the synthesized parameter values. Thus, anoperator can quickly and efficiently change a plurality of parametersfor the reference image, and because of this feature, there is providedthe advantage that an image processing apparatus with which an operatorcan easily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0350] With the present invention, it is inhibited that the sameparameter is selected as a parameters for both the vertical andhorizontal axes simultaneously. Thus, it is possible to prevent anoperator from setting the same parameter for both the vertical axis andhorizontal axis by mistake, and hence, there is provided the advantagethat an image processing apparatus with which an operator can easily andefficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0351] With the present invention, one out of a plurality of peripheralimages is specified and the specified peripheral image is extracted as areference image, so that operator can change two different parameters bysimply specifying an image having the most desired parameters from aplurality of displayed peripheral images. Further an operator can easilyand efficiently select an image closest to finally selected twoparameters only by successively specifying images close to a desiredimage. Thus makes it possible for the operator to more visually andintuitively change a plurality of parameter values simultaneously, andhence, there is provided the advantage that an image processingapparatus with which an operator can easily and efficiently edit andprocess an image can be obtained.

[0352] With the present invention, information concerning parametervalues of parameters for the vertical axis and horizontal axis isdisplayed at a specified position within or adjacent to a referenceand/or a peripheral image, so that the parameter values can visually bechecked and changed. More specifically, the amount of change can easilybe recognized when parameter values are changed by extracting aperipheral image as the reference image, and hence, there is providedthe advantage that an image processing apparatus with which an operatorcan easily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0353] With the present invention, a contracted image with anappropriate size is displayed. Thus, an operator can easily andefficiently retrieve a desired image data file visually checking thecontracted image, and hence, there is provided the advantage that animage processing apparatus with which an operator can easily andefficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0354] With the present invention, a rotated image as a whole isdisplayed as a contracted image. Thus, a degree of rotation of theoriginal image can simultaneously be checked by referring to thecontracted image, and hence, there is provided the advantage that animage processing apparatus with which an operator can easily andefficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0355] With the present invention, an image separated from a contractedimage is displayed with the maximum size. Thus, contents of thecontracted image can clearly be identified and also how the image isseparated can visually be checked, and hence, there is provided theadvantage that an image processing apparatus with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0356] With the present innovation, blank sections are colored and thecolored section is made transparent. Thus, a section to be madetransparent can easily be identified through a simple operation ofcoloring. This in turn makes it easier to synthesize images, hence,there is provided the advantage that an image processing apparatus withwhich an operator can easily and efficiently edit and process an imagecan be obtained.

[0357] With the present invention, a color used for coloring the blanksections and which is to be made transparent is arbitrary specified.Thus, it is possible to prevent a section not to be made transparentfrom being made transparent, which makes it easier to synthesize theimages, and hence, there is provided the advantage that an imageprocessing apparatus with which an operator can easily and efficientlyedit and process an image can be obtained.

[0358] With the present invention, when a color to be made transparentis set, the color is set by referring to and according to colors used inthe image. Thus, it is possible to prevent a section not to be madetransparent from being made transparent without specifying any specificcolor, which makes it easier to synthesize the images, and hence, thereis provided the advantage that an image processing apparatus with whichan operator can easily and efficiently edit and process an image can beobtained.

[0359] With the present invention, a color which is used least in animage is set as a color to be made transparent, so that the possibilityof clearing a section not to be made transparent is suppressed to theminimum level and images can easily be synthesized, and hence, there isprovided the advantage that an image processing apparatus with which anoperator can easily and efficiently edit and process an image can beobtained.

[0360] With the present invention, a history of editing and processingof an edited and processed image is displayed. Thus, an operator caneasily understand how the image has been edited and processed, andhence, there is provided the advantage that an image processingapparatus with which an operator can easily and efficiently edit andprocess an image can be obtained.

[0361] With the present invention, information concerning an originalimage of an edited and processed image is displayed. Thus, the originalimage can easily be identified, and hence, there is provided theadvantage that an image processing apparatus with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0362] With the present invention, first to third dedicated displayingareas are provided as fixed areas, and positions and sizes of the areascan not be changed, so that always a screen having the sameconfiguration is displayed. Thus, an operator can perceive the areas asone screen, so that he is not required to remember a complicatedoperational sequence, and can intuitively use the image processingapparatus, and hence, there is provided the advantage that an imageprocessing apparatus with which an operator can easily and efficientlyedit and process an image can be obtained.

[0363] With the present invention, even if the operator does notaccurately remembers a file name, the operator can quickly and easilyselect a desired image data file according to a thumbnail image as akey, and hence, there is provided the advantage that an image processingapparatus with which an operator can easily and efficiently edit andprocess an image can be obtained.

[0364] With the present invention, a reference image is displayed at aspecified position on a screen and a peripheral image is displayedaround this reference image with n layers by correlating parameters ofthe peripheral image to scales of the vertical axis and horizontal axis.Thus, parameters of the reference image can be changed by visuallychecking the peripheral images. More specifically, a peripheral image islocated adjacent to the reference image in correlation to scales of thevertical axis and horizontal axis. Therefore, synthesis of the amount ofchange of two parameters and change of an image according to thesynthesized parameters can intuitively be recognized by an operatorwherein he can quickly and effectively change a plurality of parametersfor the reference image, and hence, there is provided the advantage thatan image processing method with which an operator can easily andefficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0365] With the present invention, it is inhibited that the sameparameter is selected as a parameter for both the vertical axis andhorizontal axis simultaneously. Thus, it is possible to prevent anoperator from setting the same parameter for both the vertical axis andhorizontal axis simultaneously by mistake, and hence, there is providedthe advantage that an image processing method with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0366] With the present invention, one out of a plurality of peripheralimages is specified and the specified peripheral image is extracted as areference image, so that an operator can change the values of twodifferent parameters through a simple operation of only specifying animage having the most desired parameter from a plurality of peripheralimages being displayed on a screen. Thus, the operator can easily andefficiently select an image closest to finally selected two parametersonly by successively specifying images close to a desired image, andfurthermore can visually and intuitively change a plurality of parametervalues, and hence, there is provided the advantage that an imageprocessing method with which an operator can easily and efficiently editand process an image can be obtained.

[0367] With the present invention, information concerning parametervalues of parameters for the vertical axis and horizontal axis isdisplayed at a specified position within or adjacent to a referenceimage and/or a peripheral image. Thus, the information can be referredto when changing parameter values, and more specifically the amount ofchange can easily be recognized when changing parameter values byextracting a peripheral image as a reference image, and hence, there isprovided the advantage that an image processing method with which anoperator can easily and efficiently edit and process an image can beobtained.

[0368] With the present invention, a contracted image with anappropriate size is displayed, so that a desired image data file caneasily and efficiently be retrieved by referring the contracted image,and hence, there is provided the advantage that an image processingmethod with which an operator can easily and efficiently edit andprocess an image can be obtained.

[0369] With the present invention, a rotated image as a whole isdisplayed as a contracted image, so that rotation status of the imagecan be identified in the contracted image, and hence, there is providedthe advantage that an image processing method with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0370] With the preset invention, an image separated from a contractedimage is displayed with the biggest size, so that contents of an imagecan clearly be confirmed in the contracted image and how the image wasseparated can also be identified, and hence, there is provided theadvantage that an image processing method with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0371] With the present invention, blank sections are colored and thecolored sections are made transparent, so that a section to be madetransparent can be identified through a simple operation of coloring andalso images can easily be synthesized, and hence, there is provided theadvantage that an image processing method with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0372] With the present invention, a color used for coloring the blanksections and which is to be later made transparent is can arbitrarilyspecified. Thus, it is possible to present a section not to be madetransparent from being made transparent, which in turn makes it easierto synthesize the images, and hence, there is provided the advantagethat an image processing method with which an operator can easily andefficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0373] With the present invention, when setting a color to be madetransparent, the color is set by referring to colors used in an image.Thus, it is possible to prevent a section not to be made transparentfrom being made transparent without specifying any specific color, whichin turn makes it easier to synthesize the images, and hence, there isprovided the advantage that an image processing method with which anoperator can easily and efficiently edit and process an image can beobtained.

[0374] With the present invention, a color which is used least in animage is set as a color to be made transparent, so that images can besynthesized with a minimum possibility of making a section transparentwhich is not to be made transparent, and hence, there is provided theadvantage that an image processing method with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0375] With the present invention, a history of editing and processingof an edited and processed image is displayed, so that an operator caneasily understand how the image was edited and processed, and hence,there is provided the advantage that an image processing method withwhich an operator can easily and efficiently edit and process an imagecan be obtained.

[0376] With the present invention, information concerning an originalimage of an edited and processed image is displayed, so that theoriginal image can easily be identified, and hence, there is providedthe advantage that an image processing method with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0377] With the present invention, first to third dedicated displayingareas are provided as fixed areas, and a position and a size of each ofthe areas can not be changed, so that always a screen having the sameconfiguration is displayed. The operator can grasp these areas as onescreen and he is not required to remember a complicated operationalsequence and can intuitively use the image processing apparatus withoutbeing embarrassed during operations, and hence, there is provided theadvantage that an image processing method with which an operator caneasily and efficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0378] With the present invention, eve if the operator does notaccurately remembers a file name, the operator can quickly and easilyselect a desired image data file according to a thumbnail image(contracted image) as a key, and hence, there is provided the advantagethat an image processing method with which an operator can easily andefficiently edit and process an image can be obtained.

[0379] With the present invention, a program for making a computerexecute the program as described above is recorded in a storage medium,and the program can be read by a machine, and hence, there is providedthe advantage that a storage medium, which can realize any of operationsdescribed above with a computer, can be obtained.

[0380] This application is based on Japanese patent application No. HEI10-080530, No. HEI 10-080531, No. HEI 10-080532 and No. HEI 11-045346filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Mar. 13, 1998, Mar. 13, 1998,Mar. 13, 1998, and Feb. 23, 1999, respectively, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0381] Although the invention has been described with respect to aspecific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appendedclaims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodyingall modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching hereinset forth.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: adisplay unit for displaying an image on a screen for editing andprocessing the image; a reference image extracting unit for extracting areference image as an object for editing and processing; a parametermanaging unit for managing a plurality of parameters such as brightness,chroma, hue, contrast or the like each relating to the reference imageextracted by said reference image extracting unit; a parameter settingunit for selecting any two arbitrary parameters from the plurality ofparameters managed by said parameter managing unit and setting theselected parameters as scales for the vertical axis and horizontal axisrespectively; a peripheral image preparing unit for preparing an imageobtained by changing the values of the two parameters selected by saidparameter setting unit for the reference image by a specified amount asa peripheral image for the reference image; and an image displaycontroller for controlling said display so as to display the referenceimage at a specified position on the screen and also placing theperipheral images prepared by said peripheral image preparing unitaround the reference image and correlating the parameter values of theperipheral image to the scales of the vertical axis and horizontal axisset by said parameter setting unit so that the peripheral imagessurround the reference image in n layers.
 2. An image processingapparatus according to claim 1; wherein said parameter setting unitprohibits the setting of a parameter already set on one of the verticalaxis and horizontal axis on the other axis.
 3. An image processingapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a peripheral imagespecifying unit for specifying one of a plurality of peripheral imagesdisplayed on the screen; wherein said reference image extracting unitextracts the peripheral image specified by said peripheral imagespecifying unit as a reference image.
 4. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising: a parameter value displaycontroller for displaying the information concerning parameter values ofparameters for the vertical axis and horizontal axis of the referencevalue and/or the peripheral image at a specified position within oradjacent to the reference image and/or the peripheral image displayed onthe screen.
 5. An image processing apparatus comprising: a display unitfor displaying an image on a screen for editing and processing theimage; an editing and processing unit for editing and processing theimage displayed on the screen; a rectangle computing unit for computinga rectangle having a minimum size among those which can cover the imageedited and processed by said editing and processing unit; a contractedimage preparing unit for preparing a contracted image according to therectangle computed by said rectangle computing unit; and a contractedimage display controller for controlling said display so as to displaythe contracted images prepared by said contracted image preparing uniton the screen.
 6. An image processing apparatus according to claim 5;wherein the image edited and processed by said editing and processingunit is an image obtained by rotating a image having a rectangular shapeby a specified angle.
 7. An image processing apparatus according toclaim 5; wherein the image edited and processed by said editing andprocessing unit is an image obtained by separated with a shape otherthan a rectangle.
 8. An image processing apparatus comprising: a displayunit for displaying an image on a screen for editing and processing theimage; an editing and processing unit for editing and processing theimage displayed on the screen; a rectangle computing unit for computinga rectangle having a minimum size among those which can cover the imageedited and processed by said editing and processing unit; a blankextracting unit for extracting blank sections of the rectangle computedby said rectangle computing unit with the edited image excludedtherefrom; and a blank processing unit for coloring the blank sectionsextracted by said blank extracting unit with a specified color andmaking the part colored with the specified color transparent.
 9. Animage processing apparatus according to claim 8; wherein said blankprocessing unit comprises: a color specifying unit for specifying acolor used for coloring the blank sections extracted by said blankextracting unit; and a clearing unit for making transparent the partcolored with a color specified by said color specifying unit.
 10. Animage processing apparatus according to claim 8; wherein said blankprocessing unit comprising: a color setting unit for setting a colorused for coloring the blank sections extracted by said blank extractingunit according to colors used in the edited and processed image; and aclearing unit for making transparent the part colored with the color setby said color setting unit.
 11. An image processing apparatus accordingto claim 10; wherein said color setting unit sets a color which is notused or used least in the edited and processed image among a pluralityof preset colors as a color to be used for coloring the blank sectionsextracted by said blank extracting unit.
 12. An image processingapparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying an image on a screenfor editing and processing the image; an editing and processing unit forediting and processing the image displayed on the screen; an editing andprocessing history memory for storing thereon the history of editing andprocessing of the image edited and processed by said editing andprocessing unit; and an editing and processing history displaycontroller for displaying the history of editing and processing storedin said editing and processing history memory together with the image onthe screen.
 13. An image processing apparatus according to claim 12;wherein said editing and processing history memory stores thereoninformation concerning an original image as an object for editing andprocessing; and said editing and processing history display controllerdisplays information concerning the original image as an object forediting and processing stored in said editing and processing historymemory.
 14. An image processing apparatus comprising: a display unit fordisplaying an image on a screen for editing and processing the image; afirst display controller for controlling said display to display theinformation concerning an image file as an object for editing andprocessing on a first dedicated displaying area on the screen; a seconddisplay controller for controlling said display to display thecontracted images of images in an image file corresponding toinformation for a specified image file of information for image filesdisplayed on the first dedicated area in a second dedicated displayingarea on the screen; and a third display controller for controlling saiddisplay to display an image of an image file corresponding to aspecified contracted image as an object for editing and processing in athird dedicated displaying area on the screen for displaying an imagewith a specified magnification.
 15. An image processing apparatusaccording to claim 14; wherein said first display controller displaysonly information concerning the folders which store the image files asan object for editing and processing; and said second display controllerdisplays a contracted image of image files stored in a specified folderinformation of those displayed in the first dedicated displaying area.16. An image processing method of displaying an image on a displayscreen and editing and processing the image displayed on the displayscreen comprising: a reference image extracting step of extracting areference image as an object for editing and processing; a parametersetting step of managing a plurality of parameters such as brightness,chroma, hue, contract or the like concerning a reference image extractedin the reference image extracting step and values of the parameters,selecting any two arbitrary parameters of the plurality of parametersput under management, and setting the selected parameters as scales forthe vertical axis and horizontal axis respectively; a peripheral imagepreparing step of preparing an image obtained by changing the values ofthe two parameters selected in the parameter setting step by a specifiedamount for the reference image as the peripheral images for thereference image; and an image displaying step of displaying thereference image at a specified position on the screen and alsodisplaying the peripheral image prepared in the peripheral imagespreparing step around the reference image correlating parameter valuesof the peripheral image to scales of the vertical axis and horizontalaxis set in the parameter setting step so that the peripheral imagessurrounds the reference image in n layers.
 17. An image processingmethod according to claim 16; wherein, in the parameter setting step,the same parameter as that already set on one of the vertical axis andhorizontal axis is not set on the other axis.
 18. An image processingmethod according to claim 16 further comprising: a peripheral imagespecifying step of specifying one peripheral image of a plurality ofperipheral images displayed on the screen; wherein, in the referenceimage extracting step, a peripheral image specified in the peripheralimage specifying step is extracted as a reference image.
 19. An imageprocessing method according to claim 16 further comprising: a parametervalue displaying step of displaying information concerning parametervalues of parameters for the vertical axis and horizontal axis of thereference image and/or peripheral image at a specified position withinor adjacent to the reference image and/or peripheral image displayed onthe screen.
 20. An image processing method of displaying an image on adisplay screen and editing and processing the image displayed on thescreen comprising: an editing and processing step of editing andprocessing the image displayed on the screen; a rectangle computing stepof computing a rectangle having a minimum size among those which cancover the image edited and processed in the editing and processing step;a contracted image preparing step of preparing a contracted imageaccording to the rectangle computed in the rectangle computing step; anda contracted image displaying step of displaying a contracted imageprepared in the contracted image preparing step on the screen.
 21. Animage processing method according to claim 20; wherein an image editedand processed in the editing and processing step is an image obtained byrotating a image having a rectangular shape by a specified angle.
 22. Animage processing method according to claim 20; wherein the image editedand processed in the editing and processing step is an image separatedwith a shape other than a rectangular.
 23. An image processing method ofdisplaying an image on a display screen and editing and processing theimage displayed on the screen comprising: an editing and processing stepof editing and processing the image displayed on the screen; a rectanglecomputing step of computing a rectangle having a minimum size amongthose which can cover the image edited and processed in the editing andprocessing step; a blank extracting step of extracting the blanksections of the rectangle computed in the rectangle computing step withthe edited image excluded therefrom; and a blank processing step ofcoloring the blank sections extracted in the blank extracting step witha specified color and making transparent the part colored with thespecified color.
 24. An image processing method according to claim 23;wherein the blank processing step comprising: a color specifying step ofspecifying a color used for coloring the blank sections extracted in theblank extracting step; and a clearing step of making transparent thepart colored with the color specified in the color specifying section.25. An image processing method according to claim 23; wherein the blankprocessing step comprises; a color setting step of setting a color usedfor coloring the blank sections extracted in the blank extracting stepaccording to colors used in the edited and processed image; and aclearing step of making transparent the part colored with the color setin the color setting step.
 26. An image processing method according toclaim 25; wherein, in the color setting step, a color which is not usedor used least in the edited and processed image of a plurality of presetcolors is set as a color for coloring the blank sections extracted inthe blank extracting step.
 27. An image processing method of displayingan image on a display screen and editing and processing the imagedisplayed on the screen comprising: an editing and processing step ofediting and processing the image displayed on the screen; and an editingand processing history displaying step of displaying a history ofediting and processing of the image edited and processed in the editingand processing step together with the image on the display screen. 28.An image processing method according to claim 27; wherein, in theediting and processing history displaying step, information concerningthe original image as an object for editing and processing is displayed.29. An image processing method of displaying an image on a displayscreen and editing and processing the image displayed on the screencomprising: a first displaying step of displaying information concerningan image file as an object for editing and processing in a firstdedicated displaying area on the screen; a second displaying step ofdisplaying a contracted image for an image file corresponding toinformation for the specified image file of information for image filesdisplayed in the first dedicated area; and a third displaying step ofdisplaying an image in an image file corresponding to a specifiedcontracted image of the contracted images displayed in the seconddedicated area as an object for editing and processing with a specifiedmagnification in a third dedicated displaying area.
 30. An imageprocessing method according to claim 29; wherein the first dedicateddisplay area displays only information for a folder which stores theimage file as an object for editing and processing thereon; and thesecond dedicated area displays a contracted image for the image filestored in the specified folder information of folder informationdisplayed in the first dedicated area.
 31. A computer-readable storagemedium containing thereon a computer program of an image processingmethod for displaying an image on a display screen and editing andprocessing the image displayed on the display screen, said computerprogram being: extracting a reference image as an object for editing andprocessing; managing a plurality of parameters such as brightness,chroma, hue, contract or the like concerning a reference image extractedin the reference image extracting step and values of the parameters,selecting any two arbitrary parameters of the plurality of parametersput under management, and setting the selected parameters as scales forthe vertical axis and horizontal axis respectively; preparing an imageobtained by changing the values of the two parameters selected in theparameter setting step by a specified amount for the reference image asthe peripheral images for the reference image; and displaying thereference image at a specified position on the screen and alsodisplaying the peripheral image prepared in the peripheral imagespreparing step around the reference image correlating parameter valuesof the peripheral image to scales of the vertical axis and horizontalaxis set in the parameter setting step so that the peripheral imagessurrounds the reference image in n layers.
 32. A computer-readablestorage medium containing thereon a computer program of an imageprocessing method for displaying an image on a display screen andediting and processing the image displayed on the screen, said computerprogram being: editing and processing the image displayed on the screen;computing a rectangle having a minimum size among those which can coverthe image edited and processed in the editing and processing step;preparing a contracted image according to the rectangle computed in therectangle computing step; and displaying a contracted image prepared inthe contracted image preparing step on the screen.
 33. Acomputer-readable storage medium containing thereon a computer programof an image processing method for displaying an image on a displayscreen and editing and processing the image displayed on the screen,said computer program being: editing and processing the image displayedon the screen; computing a rectangle having a minimum size among thosewhich can cover the image edited and processed in the editing andprocessing step; extracting the blank sections of the rectangle computedin the rectangle computing step with the edited image excludedtherefrom; and coloring the blank sections extracted in the blankextracting step with a specified color and making transparent the partcolored with the specified color.
 34. A computer-readable storage mediumcontaining thereon a computer program of an image processing method fordisplaying an image on a display screen and editing and processing theimage displayed on the screen, said computer program being: editing andprocessing the image displayed on the screen; and displaying a historyof editing and processing of the image edited and processed in theediting and processing step together with the image on the displayscreen.
 35. A computer-readable storage medium containing thereon acomputer program of an image processing method for displaying an imageon a display screen and editing and processing the image displayed onthe screen, said computer program being: displaying informationconcerning an image file as an object for editing and processing in afirst dedicated displaying area on the screen; displaying a contractedimage for an image file corresponding to information for the specifiedimage file of information for image files displayed in the firstdedicated area; and displaying an image in an image file correspondingto a specified contracted image of the contracted images displayed inthe second dedicated area as an object for editing and processing with aspecified magnification in a third dedicated displaying area.